1519. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Focusing on the Value and Restoration of Rangelands

The United Nations designates 17 June each year as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, calling for global awareness and action to address land degradation and drought. In 2026, the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” highlights the importance of rangelands—ecosystems that have long been undervalued despite their critical role.

Rangelands are vast ecosystems that cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and play an essential role in food production, the regulation of water cycles, biodiversity conservation, and strengthening resilience to climate change. They also support the livelihoods of approximately two billion people worldwide, particularly pastoralists and Indigenous communities, for whom these landscapes provide both cultural and economic foundations.

Despite their importance, rangelands are increasingly under pressure from climate change, land degradation, and competing land uses. It is estimated that up to half of the world’s rangelands are already degraded or at risk, posing serious threats to food security, water resources, and rural economies.

At the same time, clear pathways for improvement are emerging. Promoting sustainable land and water management, strengthening drought preparedness, and investing in community-led restoration initiatives can help restore the functionality of rangelands and ensure their benefits are sustained for future generations.

This year’s observance also aligns with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, reinforcing the need to re-evaluate the economic and environmental value of rangelands, respect their traditional stewards, and strengthen policies and investments aimed at restoring degraded landscapes.

Desertification and drought are closely linked to climate change, and their impacts are expanding beyond local regions to global scales. This international day underscores that protecting healthy land is essential for reducing climate risks and achieving sustainable development, and it serves as a catalyst for accelerating action by governments, communities, and stakeholders worldwide.

Now is the time to properly recognize the value of rangelands, respect the people who have managed them for generations, and restore these vital ecosystems for the future.

Contributor: Miyuki IIYAMA, Strategic Coordination Office