World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026
Observed every year on June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an occasion for the United Nations to raise public awareness about land degradation and drought, while mobilizing action to protect and restore the health of the world's soils and lands. The 2026 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought will be hosted by Kenya, marking the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent has hosted this global observance.
The theme for 2026 is “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore”.
The Day will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation, and the cultural identity of pastoral and Indigenous communities.
- https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/en/news/world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought-2026
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026
- 2026-06-17T00:00:00+02:00
- 2026-06-17T23:59:59+02:00
- Observed every year on June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an occasion for the United Nations to raise public awareness about land degradation and drought, while mobilizing action to protect and restore the health of the world's soils and lands. The 2026 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought will be hosted by Kenya, marking the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent has hosted this global observance. The theme for 2026 is “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore”. The Day will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation, and the cultural identity of pastoral and Indigenous communities.
- When Jun 17, 2026 (Europe/Berlin / UTC200)
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Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth's land surface, yet they remain among the most undervalued ecosystems. They are facing increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation, and competition for land use. Up to half of all rangelands are already degraded or at risk of degradation, undermining food and water security, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of rural populations.
On the occasion of the 2026 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, countries and communities are invited to:
- Recognize the economic contribution of rangelands to national and regional economies, their role in supporting biodiversity and wildlife, and the many benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon.
- Respect pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems, and ecological knowledge are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes.
- Restore rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness, and supporting community-led restoration efforts.