--- title: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought slug: world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought-8a url: /detay/world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought-8a type: article language: English entity: primary: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought type: article categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih - name: Environment, Agriculture slug: cevre-tarim-ve-ziraat url: /kategori/cevre-tarim-ve-ziraat tags: - Drought - Desertification author: Nursena Güller created_at: 2025-10-26T16:25:59.451102+03:00 updated_at: 2025-11-05T14:22:22.512211+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/10/26/ow8F6gQgTDJX6m2dBP3xuY5JR1WmfnOX.jpg --- # World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought ## KURE Information Cards ![Dünya Çölleşme ve Kuraklıkla Mücadele Günü kapak.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/10/26/5OeVHyqupw2MzwAL94TxX6Xi5LEngn0F.jpg) *World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date(s)(Text) | June 17 | | Declaring Authority | United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/49/115) | | Date of Declaration | December 30, 1994 | ## Article Content [World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought](/en/detay/dunya-collesme-ve-kuraklikla-mucadele-gunu-76fbc/llms.txt) is an international observance held annually on [June 17](/en/detay/june/llms.txt). The day aims to draw attention to land degradation issues such as [desertification](/en/detay/desertification-0034b/llms.txt) and drought, promote the [sustainable use of land resources](/en/detay/sustainable-land-use-40886/llms.txt), raise environmental awareness, and support efforts to mitigate the economic, social, and ecological impacts of desertification. ### **History** The [United Nations](/en/detay/united-nations-convention-to-combat-desertificatio/llms.txt) General Assembly designated June 17 as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought through resolution A/RES/49/115 on December 30, 1994.[^1]  This decision was taken to highlight the global effects of desertification and drought and to strengthen international cooperation. The primary motivation for establishing the day is that approximately 2 billion people are directly affected by desertification and drought, which significantly impact food security, employment, and migration. ### **Global Importance and Impacts** Worldwide, desertification and land degradation are directly linked to [soil loss](/en/detay/soil-b099d/llms.txt), reduced [biodiversity](/en/detay/terrestrial-biodiversity-e1c31/llms.txt), and drought. Land degradation affects approximately 40% of the Earth’s surface, resulting in the loss of land equivalent to four football fields every minute. This situation leads to decreased food production, depletion of water resources, increased unemployment and migration, and the disruption of ecosystems.[^2]  Drought and desertification are particularly prevalent in Africa and Asia, exerting severe pressures on human livelihoods and economic activities. Global warming and climate change are among the primary drivers increasing the risk of desertification. In addition, overconsumption and inappropriate land use are human-induced factors accelerating land degradation. ### **Institutional and International Efforts** The United Nations and its agencies provide scientific and technical support in combating desertification and drought. UNESCO contributes expertise in land management and water resources through programs such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). Furthermore, the United Nations has set global targets under the “Ecosystem Restoration Decade” (2021–2030) to restore degraded lands and protect natural capital. Current international goals include the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 and the revitalization of the land restoration economy, supporting environmental sustainability and economic resilience. ### **Situation and Measures in Türkiye** Türkiye, due to its geographic location, topography, climate, and soil characteristics, is among the countries most vulnerable to desertification and drought. In this context, the “National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification” covering the period 2019–2030 has been prepared and implemented. According to national studies, while 500 million tons of soil were lost annually to [erosion](/en/detay/erosion-ec486/llms.txt) in the 1970s, measures have reduced this amount to 140 million tons. The target is to decrease annual soil loss to 150 million tons or below by 2025.[^3]  Türkiye has developed a desertification sensitivity map to identify high-risk areas. Under the Land Degradation Neutrality Project, a decision-support system has been established and is being applied to guide policymakers in determining appropriate activities in sensitive areas. ### **Theme and Emphasis** The 2025 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought has been highlighted under the theme “Restore Soil. Unlock Opportunities.” The theme emphasizes the economic and environmental benefits of land restoration. Land restoration has the potential to create employment, enhance food and water security, [combat climate change](/en/detay/the-importance-of-combating-climate-change-d6d3b/llms.txt), and strengthen economic resilience. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. “Çölleşme 10 Yıl İçinde 50 Milyon İnsanı Göçe Zorlayabilir.” Anadolu Ajansı. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/collesme-10-yil-icinde-50-milyon-insani-goce-zorlayabilir/1879783Anadolu Ajansı. “Dünya Çölleşme Mücadele Gününe Türkiye Ev Sahipliği Yapacak.” Anadolu Ajansı. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/dunya-collesme-mucadele-gunune-turkiye-ev-sahipligi-yapacak/1349802Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı. “17 Haziran Dünya Çölleşme ve Kuraklıkla Mücadele Günü Mesajı.” Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://cem.csb.gov.tr/17-haziran-dunya-collesme-ve-kuraklikla-mucadele-gunu-mesaji-haber-283712United Nations. “General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115: Observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.” Accessed October 26, 2025. https://documents.un.org/doc/resolution/gen/nr0/774/02/img/NR077402.pdf?OpenElementUnited Nations. “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June.” United Nations. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.un.org/en/observances/desertification-dayUNESCO. “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.” UNESCO. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/desertification-drought-combat ## Citations [^1]: United Nations. “General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115: Observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.” Accessed October 26, 2025. https://documents.un.org/doc/resolution/gen/nr0/774/02/img/NR077402.pdf?OpenElement [^2]: United Nations. “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June.” United Nations. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://www.un.org/en/observances/desertification-day [^3]: Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı. “17 Haziran Dünya Çölleşme ve Kuraklıkla Mücadele Günü Mesajı.” Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı. Accessed October 26, 2025. https://cem.csb.gov.tr/17-haziran-dunya-collesme-ve-kuraklikla-mucadele-gunu-mesaji-haber-283712