The number of international migrants worldwide has continued to grow rapidly over the past fifteen years – reaching 244 million in 2015, up from 222 million in 2010 and 173 million in 2000.[1] Behind these numbers is the links between migration and development challenges, in particular, the consequences of environmental degradation, political instability, food insecurity and poverty.

The 2017 World Day to Combat Desertification (#2017WDCD) will look closely the important link between migration and land degradation by addressing how local communities could build the resilience against existing multi-fold development challenges through combating desertification and land degradation. It will be the Day to remind everyone of the importance of productive land for securing food, generating local employment and contributing to the sustainability and stability, security of desertification-affected places.

Read more

The global observance of the 2017 WDCD will be scheduled in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15 June, hosted by le Ministère de l'Environnement, de l'Economie Verte et du Changement Climatique (MEEVCC).