Observed every year on 17 June all over the world, the aim of the day is to sensitize the public and policy makers to the increasing dangers of desertification, land degradation and drought for the international community. The observance events are designed to get everyone to undertake at least one action that year to help minimize the threat highlighted. This being the International Year on Forests, the World Day to Combat Desertification for 2011 will focus specifically on the forests in the drylands areas of the world, guided by the motto: ‘Forests keep drylands working’.

The Day has been observed since 1995 to promote public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared (General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115) June 17 the "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" to promote public awareness of the issue, and the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa.

Ever since, country Parties to the Convention, organizations of the United Nations System, international and non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders have celebrated this particular day with a series of outreach activities worldwide.

The World Day to Combat Desertification is a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification can be effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, and that key tools to this aim lay in strengthened community participation and co-operation at all levels.

Awareness raising:

Country Parties and civil society organizations are invited to organize events to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification as an additional opportunity to increase awareness raising and participation in the process.

Such as environment film director John Liu (Hope in a changing climate) has created a 12-minute film to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification, which is observed this year with the slogan, "Forests keep drylands working". The film can be seen on the UNCCD website and we’ve made the trailer available on the right hand column.

Poster/banner kit for the day is available here: http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/june17/2011/menu.php?newch=5

Connect with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: