UNCCD 12d ago

On Desertification and Drought Day 2026, UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad delivers a message on the state of the world's rangelands and the case for restoring them. Rangelands cover more than half of the planet's land surface. They support close to two billion people and sustain 500 million pastoralists. They store close to one-third of the world's terrestrial carbon. Up to half are degraded or at risk. Land degradation and drought already cost the global economy nearly USD 900 billion every year. Drought alone accounts for losses of more than USD 300 billion annually, and the economic impact of drought has grown by nearly a third since 2000. The case for action is just as clear. Every dollar invested in restoration returns between USD 7 and USD 30. Every dollar invested in drought resilience can generate up to ten dollars in avoided losses. This year's observance, hosted by Kenya under the theme Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore., marks the first time in nearly a decade that the global Day has been held on the African continent. The momentum continues at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar this August, under the theme Restoring Land, Restoring Hope. Timestamps (estimate, adjust once you have the final cut): 0:00 Introduction 0:35 The scale of the world's rangelands 1:05 The cost of land degradation and drought 1:40 Why drought's impact outlasts the rain 2:05 The case for investment 2:30 Tribute to pastoralists and Indigenous communities 2:50 Closing message Learn more: https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026 #DesertificationAndDroughtDay #Rangelands #UNCCD #COP17 #LandRestoration