Kenya will host the global observance of 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 on 17th June, 2026 in partnership with United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification under the theme “𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙚. 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩. 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚," at Vipingo Central Primary School in Kilifi County. The global event will spotlight the vital role of rangelands in strengthening climate resilience, enhancing food and water security, conserving biodiversity, and sustaining the cultural heritage and livelihoods of pastoralist and Indigenous communities worldwide. #DesertificationandDroughtDay #UNited4Land #RespectRangelands @EnviClimateC_Ke @Environment_Ke @UNCCD @UNDPplanet @UNDPAfrica

Up to half of the world's rangelands are already degraded or at risk. On June 17, Kenya hosts the global #DesertificationAndDroughtDay Recognize. Respect. Restore. The countdown begins.

“Before, floods were very troublesome. Everyone was displaced from their homes & moved far away, pitching tents in fields.” Ahead of #DesertificationAndDroughtDay, see how a community in Ethiopia is #United4Land, reforesting & increasing flood resilience: ow.ly/rrfL50SiVIF

At #UNCCDCOP17 in Mongolia, I hope we will see the launch of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus under the @UNCCD—a major step toward strengthening Indigenous voices in efforts to combat #desertification, restore lands, and build resilience. As well the mark #IYRP2026, 🌍✨

Tomorrow, the world unites for the beautiful game. ⚽ But did you know we lose the equivalent of 4 football fields of healthy land every single second? This World Cup, let's also team up for our planet. Join the global squad at unccd.int. #United4Land #WorldCup

#UNCCD and @giz_gmbh signed an MoU in Bonn to scale up joint work on land restoration and drought resilience. Around USD 355 billion a year is needed to address land degradation worldwide. Cooperation at that scale starts here, ahead of #UNCCDCOP17. unccd.int/news-stories/stori…

From Dagestan to Kalmykia and Astrakhan, the #SilkRoadCaravan is documenting rangelands, the people who protect them and solutions restoring land — from fixing open sands to scaling monitoring. Land restoration is about livelihoods, stability and hope. #UNited4Land #IYRP2026

“What we have seen here is not only a discussion about priorities, but a reminder of what is possible when the world comes together with shared purpose.” @theGEF Interim CEO Claude Gascon closes #GEFassembly2026, marks start of #GEF9 work Read ➡️ enb.iisd.org/global-environm…

🇺🇿 THE SILK ROAD CARAVAN COMES TO SAMARKAND 🕌 Join us for a celebration of heritage, resilience and unity at the #GEFAssembly2026. 5 June 2026 | 5:30 PM | entrance to The Eternal City before the bridge. #SilkRoadCaravan #UNited4Land

🌱 How can climate, nature and land agendas advance as one? Join Rio Conventions at the #GEFassembly2026 to explore policy and finance solutions that can turn synergies into transformative action for people and planet. #GEFassembly2026 #UNited4Land

El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty. The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. The only effective response is #ClimateAction equal to the crisis – ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all. wmo.int/resources/publicatio…

Council members had a busy first day endorsing the programming directions of GEF-9 and approving the last GEF-8 Work Program Highlights ➡️ enb.iisd.org/global-environm… #GEFCouncil71 #GEFassembly2026

"The challenges are interconnected and the global financial landscape does not allow a siloed approach.” Cooperation and synergies between MEAs and conventions had the lion’s share #GEFcouncil71 Monday Read ➡️ enb.iisd.org/global-environm… #GEFassembly2026

🎥 #AfricaDay Highlights 🎉 From cultural performances to vibrant exhibition and the rich flavors of Africa, #AfricaDay2026 in New York was a true celebration of the continent's unity, diversity, and global impact. Organized by the @AfricanUnionUN, the #AfricanGroupUN, @UNCCD, @globalnyc and other partners, the event brought together Diplomats, UN officials, the African #Diaspora, and friends of #Africa to celebrate our shared heritage and aspirations for #TheAfricaWeWant. #AfricaDay2026 #Agenda2063 #YearOfWater #AfricaAtUN #AfricaRising @_AfricanUnion @UN @AUC_CIDO

.@UNDP🇨🇳joined the @BoaoForumBFA Intl Symposium on Combating Desertification in Yinchuan, gathering diverse stakeholders ahead of #COP17. As desertification threatens 12 #SDGs, UNDP is committed to working w/partners on nature-based solutions & inclusive green finance. Read @JamesGCGeorge's remarks➡️go.undp.org/qDP

The sprint toward the 2030 goals will be fueled by greater integration and collaboration across the multilateral environmental agreements served by @theGEF. #GEFcouncil71 featured a panel on the connections between nature, health, and resilience. 🧵⤵️ #GEFassembly2026

Healthier soils. More resilient harvests. Restored hope. A powerful vision for GEF-9 from Cathrine Mutambirwa of @UNCCD at #GEFcouncil71 #GEFassembly2026, highlighting the importance of partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for people and the planet.

"Pasture equals life." 🌾 The #SilkRoadCaravan’s journey through #Türkiye highlights the pastoralists on the front lines fighting climate change and severe drought. Follow the thread: silkroadcaravan.org/ @IYRP2026 @cemgovtr youtube.com/watch?v=NxnFFF_0…

Over 25% of Uzbekistan’s land is degraded and nearly 45% is at risk of desertification. Supported by @theGEF @gef_sgp see what is possible when we work together to #FinanceTheFuture. Read more ahead of #GEFAssembly2026: go.undp.org/q6o

At the CSFD plenary meeting, the @OSS_Comms shared its expertise in supporting #UNCCD national reporting, highlighting tools, technical assistance mechanisms and participatory approaches that strengthen monitoring of #SDG153 and progress towards #LandDegradationNeutrality.