Global Community

UNCCD COP 16 Decisions are available online.
Here is the Decision most directly related to drought:
'Decision 24 Follow-up on policy frameworks and thematic issues: Drought'
The link is: https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2025-03/24-cop16.pdf

UNCCD and GGGI partner to advance sustainable land management agenda

https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/stories/unccd-and-gggi-partner-advan…

Bonn, Germany, 18 February 18, 2025 – A landmark collaboration is taking shape in the global fight against land degradation. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate efforts in sustainable land and water management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in support of the sustainable development agenda.

A partnership for sustainable growth

Land degradation, desertification and drought pose critical challenges worldwide, affecting ecosystems, economies and communities. Recognizing the urgency of these issues, UNCCD and GGGI are joining forces to create innovative solutions that integrate environmental sustainability with economic growth.

This collaboration is firmly rooted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the objectives of the Rio Conventions, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainable land management.

Under the MoU, UNCCD and GGGI will leverage their expertise to:

Develop and implement joint programs focused on sustainable land and water management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Enhance resource mobilization efforts to secure funding and technical support for land restoration initiatives.
Engage the private sector to drive investment and technical innovation in sustainable land management projects.
Promote knowledge-sharing and capacity-building through training programs, policy dialogues and best practice exchanges.
Design green investment strategies to support countries in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and drought resilience targets.
A shared vision for impactful action

By working together, UNCCD and GGGI aim to unlock new opportunities for land restoration and ecosystem conservation. Their collaboration will also extend to joint advisory services, feasibility studies and publications that inform and inspire action on the ground.

“I am pleased to announce this strategic partnership between UNCCD and GGGI, which marks a significant step in our collective efforts to combat land degradation, enhance biodiversity conservation and build resilience against climate change," stated Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary. "This MoU is a testament to our shared commitment to a future where land is valued, protected and restored for the benefit of people and the planet.”

GGGI Director-General Sang-Hyup Kim echoed this sentiment: 'The collaboration with UNCCD reflects GGGI’s strong commitment to land restoration and biodiversity conservation. This partnership will not only shed light on the financial and policy elements. GGGI looks forward to a powerful collaboration with UNCCD to tackle climate challenges related to land degradation, water management and drought.'"

Looking ahead: Turning ambition into action

As the world faces escalating environmental challenges, the partnership between UNCCD and GGGI represents a critical step forward. With a shared mission to create sustainable, climate-resilient landscapes, their collaboration will support countries in transforming policies into tangible action, ensuring that economic development is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

Media contact: press@unccd.int 

About UNCCD

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. 

About GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was established in 2012 as a treaty-based intergovernmental organization at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. It supports its 49 Member States and 29 Partner countries in transitioning to a green growth model that integrates poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Operating in over 51 countries, GGGI helps nations meet their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement commitments. Currently, GGGI is implementing 10+ projects funded by AFD across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, focusing on green investment, climate-resilient agriculture, the circular economy and sustainable solutions in forestry, mobility, energy and industry — all aligned with GGGI’s Programmatic Solutions.

📢 The call for proposals for the Competition for Youth-Led Projects 2025 is now open!

We are looking to fund youth-led projects that promote #ClimateAction and resilience to floods and droughts. If you're passionate about making a difference and contributing to #EarlyWarningsForAll, this is your chance to turn your ideas into action and build stronger, more prepared communities.

🗓️ Deadline for Submission: 16 March 2025

More information: https://bit.ly/4jQDDKo

Over the years, this competition has supported projects that have transformed communities and enhanced disaster resilience. Here are the highlights from past winning projects:

🌊 Water from a Rock – developed a real-time risk and preparedness platform to map disasters and identify high-risk areas in South Africa.

🗺️ Collaborative Mapping for Flooding Resilience – empowered local communities in Medellín, Colombia, through collaborative mapping trainings and creating a comprehensive cartographic data base for vulnerable areas.

📚 AWAKE Project – focused on inclusive education and disaster preparedness, equipping for children and people with disabilities in Indonesia with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to floods and droughts.

📍 YouthMappers Project – utilized GIS and open-source mapping tools in Tanzania to identify flood-prone areas, map evacuation routes, and strengthen early warning systems for at-risk communities.

Now it’s your turn! If you have an innovative idea to help communities better prepare, respond, and recover from floods and droughts, submit your proposal!

The competition is organized under the banners of the Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) & Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) – joint programmes of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership (GWP) - in partnership with the Water Youth Network (WYN).

#YouthCompetition

When Politics Is Everywhere, #Drought Searches for the Right Ally: The Case of India
https://idronline.org/groundwater-management-making-access-to-water-ade…

📸 Capture the solutions that inspire change!
The UNCCD and GWP have launched a global photo competition at UNCCD COP 16 in December 2024 in Riyadh to highlight powerful solutions to drought and water scarcity.
From nature-based solutions to technological innovations, we’re looking for impactful images that showcase how communities and ecosystems build resilience to drought.
🏆 Finalists will have their work exhibited at UNCCD Headquarters in Bonn during the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, 2025.
💰 Winners in each category will receive a $500 gift card from the International Center of Photography or Fotografiska Museum.
⏳ Don’t miss the submission deadline: March 31, 2025!
📢 Winners will be announced in May 2025.
🔗 Submit your entry today and let your photos inspire action! https://droughtclp.unccd.int/photo-competition