World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Encyclopedia
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations
observance
each June 17. Its purpose is to highlight ways to prevent desertification
and recover from drought
. Each annual celebration has a different theme.
This day was proclaimed on January 30, 1995 by the United Nations General Assembly
resolution A/RES/49/115.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
observance
International observance
International observance denotes a period of time to observe some issue of international interest or concern. This is used to commemorate, promote and mobilize for action. Many of these periods have been established by the United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council or by UNESCO...
each June 17. Its purpose is to highlight ways to prevent desertification
Desertification
Desertification is the degradation of land in drylands. Caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most significant global environmental problems.-Definitions:...
and recover from drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
. Each annual celebration has a different theme.
This day was proclaimed on January 30, 1995 by the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
resolution A/RES/49/115.
Annual themes
- 2009 - Conserving land and water = Securing our common future
- 2008 - Combating land degradation for sustainable agriculture
- 2007 - Desertificaton and Climate Change - One Global Challenge
- 2006 - The Beauty of Deserts – The Challenge of Desertification
- 2005 - Women and Desertification
- 2004 - Social Dimensions of Desertification: Migration and Poverty
- 2006 - International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD)