World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Date in the current year: June 17, 2024

Annual observation of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought raises public awareness of the issues and implementations of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which was adopted on June 17, 1994 in Paris. This convention draws our attention to issues of serious droughts and desertification that are experienced in many countries, particularly in Africa.

The issue of desertification may seem not important for people, who live far away from deserts and regions suffering from droughts. But the effects are seen worldwide. By 2020 about 60 million people will migrate from area of Sub-Saharan Africa to Northern Africa and Europe. This can destabilize entire regions and make them one of the most insecure places in the world.

The UN combats desertification and drought by rising public and governmental awareness of this issue. Every year member states of the UN organize conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other events related to international cooperation in droughts combating.