Foundations of the UNCCD
During the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, desertification, alongside climate change and biodiversity loss, was identified as a premier challenge to sustainable development. This led to the establishment of the UNCCD in 1994. Together with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), it forms the so-called Rio Conventions trio.
While the EU and all 27 of its Member States are among the Convention's 197 parties, 13 Member States have officially declared themselves as directly affected by desertification.
Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal Target 15.3, the UNCCD operates under a 2018–2030 Strategic Framework focused on five core pillars.
Delivering at COP16 & mobilising for COP17
In December 2024, at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, the European Commission advanced global land and freshwater protection.
Key outcomes included a €15 million investment into the second phase of the flagship ‘Regreening Africa’ initiative and joint leadership at the parallel One Water Summit. Read the full EU position and summit outcome.
For UNCCD COP17, the EU is actively preparing. It will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (17–28 August 2026), under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.”
Key milestones include celebrations for Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June 2026, alongside the launch of two major initiatives.
Scaling global projects and partners
Globally, the European Commission funds foundational mapping and policy networks, including the Soil Atlas of Europe, the World Atlas of Desertification, and the Great Green Wall initiative.
Operationally, the EU leverages satellite data via the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory to provide real-time worldwide forecasting and collaborates directly with the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA).
