14 June 2021, 10:00-18:00 EST/16:00-24:00 CET

Land is the foundation of our societies and is a cornerstone to global food security and environmental health, zero hunger, poverty eradication and affordable energy. It underpins the success of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmen, and yet this finite resource is under existential threat.

Taking stock of progress made

One of the most impactful developments during the the UN Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (2011-2020) was the remarkable expansion of scientific knowledge about the drivers, processes and impacts of DLDD. Considerable technical progress was achieved in developing solutions to these challenges. 

The inclusion of a specific target under SDG 15 (‘Life on Land’), to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, reflects the commitment of the international community to make progress on land restoration and reversing land degradation. Over 120 countries have already committed to setting voluntary targets to achieve land degradation neutrality. 

Mandate and objective

In accordance with General Assembly resolutions 74/220 and 75/218, the President of the General Assembly will convene a High-level Dialogue to assess the progress made in the fight against DLDD during the UN Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification and map the way forward. The dialogue will take place on 20 May 2021 at United Nations Headquarters in New York to:

• Bring attention to recovery opportunities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic that can be aligned with action to address DLDD through job-creating projects in land restoration, regenerative agriculture, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and investments in sustainable land management
• Elevate the discourse on DLDD issues’ global significance for the entire SDG agenda and for climate, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction
• Build upon the commitments and initiatives from Member States and stakeholders made during the Summits on Biodiversity and Climate Change, along the path to the CBD COP15, UNFCCC COP26, UNCCD COP15, and the 2021 Food Systems Summit.
• Encourage all UN Member States to adopt and implement Land Degradation Neutrality targets and National Drought Plans, in line with implementing the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions and future commitments under the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
• Call for countries to support the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund and other funding mechanisms to scale up land restoration by all sectors of society
• Share experiences and best practices, cutting-edge technologies and innovative business models that advancegreen, resilient and inclusive recovery strategies

For more information on the event, click here.

This description was excerpted from unccd.int.