World Day to Combat Desertification

Introduction and background		Theme and purpose		Media related products		Related links

The World Day to Combat Desertification 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.

 

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.

 

 

The theme of the 2013 World Day to Combat Desertification is drought and water scarcity. To mark this day, the UNCCD and partners are calling on civil society, governments, schools, the media and others to organize events and awareness raising activities on the themes of water scarcity and drought preparedness.

 

The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will commemorate the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) by showcasing the department’s land rehabilitation projects in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape, on the 14th June 2013.

 

The Eastern Cape Economic Development and Environmental Affairs MEC Mcebisi Jonas, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Zoleka Capa and the Executive Mayor Joe Gqabi District Municipality Cllr. Zibonele Dumzela and Mayor of Senqu Local Municipality Cllr Nozibele Mtjali are expected to attend.

 

Drought and Desertification are the major environmental and socio-economic problems with negative effects on the livelihood, and greatly affect subsistence agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in rural areas such as Sterkspruit. The land rehabilitation programme aims to reverse the onslaught of desertification threatening the residential area, public infrastructure such as bridges and agricultural land. 

 

World Day to Combat Desertification is observed worldwide each year on June 17th, and its core aim is to reinforce the visibility of the drylands issue on the international environmental agenda. World Day to Combat Desertification for 2013 will focus on useful ways to preserve water under the theme: “Drought and water scarcity” and the slogan “Don’t let our future dry up”.

 

Date: Friday, 14 June 2013

 

Time: 08:00

 

Part two: Main Event

 

Date: Friday, 14 June 2013

 

Venue: Bensonvalle Teachers Hall, Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape Province

 

Time: 10h00 to 13h30

 [back to top]