United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

What UNCCD does

• Sets a clear objective – Achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, ensuring healthy and productive land for all
• Promotes sustainable land management – Support countries in adopting practices that maintain ecosystem health and productivity
• Fosters resilience – Help communities adapt to drought and other land‑related challenges through early warning, risk reduction and preparedness
• Mobilizes resources – Facilitate access to finance, technology transfer and capacity‑building for sustainable land restoration and management
• Advances inclusive governance – Put women, Indigenous Peoples, youth and rural communities at the center of decision‑making

UNCCD and Rio Synergies

The UNCCD works closely with UNFCCC and CBD to tackle the interconnected crises of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Through the Joint Liaison Group, the Conventions coordinate planning, data sharing and joint capacity building, while promoting integrated approaches such as:

• Nature‑based solutions – Restoring degraded ecosystems to capture carbon, conserve biodiversity and sustain livelihoods
• Drought resilience – Strengthening policies and investments for sustainable management and restoration of land-based ecosystems
• Integrated land‑climate‑biodiversity planning – Supporting countries in aligning their national strategies across the Rio Conventions

Together with its Rio partners, the UNCCD promotes shared scientific platforms, joint knowledge products and coordinated outreach to drive coherent global action. Upcoming milestones such as UNCCD COP17 highlight the Convention’s role as the global voice for land and a key driver of resilience, restoration and sustainability.