ADCE, Mali
ADCE Mali actively participated in the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day by hosting the first National Youth Forum on Land Restoration and Climate Mobility in Bamako, Mali.
The forum brought together more than 100 young people, government representatives, civil society organisations, researchers, international organisations and development partners. It sparked lively conversations on the links between land degradation, climate change, migration and youth engagement, featuring high-level panel discussions on land restoration, climate resilience, nature-based solutions and green entrepreneurship.
“This event marked an important milestone for our organisation, reinforcing our commitment to empowering young people and women as key actors in restoring degraded landscapes and building resilient communities,” said Lalla Aïcha Guindo, Executive Director of ADCE Mali and CS4LDN mentee. The forum also strengthened collaboration among stakeholders working towards the objectives of the UNCCD and the Great Green Wall Initiative.
CARI, France
To mark Desertification and Drought Day, CARI hosted a multi-stakeholder webinar exploring the links between lessons learned from Désertif’actions 2026 and the key issues on the UNCCD COP17 agenda.
Titled “From Désertif’actions 2026 to COP17: Challenges and Priorities for Strengthening Territorial Resilience to Droughts”, the webinar placed drought, resilience, pastoralism, agricultural systems and advocacy at the heart of the discussions.
CAUCE, Argentina
Taking to social media, CAUCE marked Desertification and Drought Day 2026 with an Instagram post highlighting how desertification threatens fertile land and the dire consequences it brings for people and ecosystems. The post promoted agroecology as a viable and practical alternative, reaffirming CAUCE’s commitment to the protection and restoration of ecosystems.
See the post here
DYDF, Bangladesh
Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation (DYDF) proudly observed Desertification and Drought Day 2026 with a multi-stakeholder national seminar in partnership with Bangladesh’s Department of Environment, bringing together government agencies, civil society organisations, academia, youth leaders, farmers, women’s representatives, and local communities to address the growing challenges of land degradation, drought, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
The Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo joined as Chief Guest. The programme featured expert presentations, interactive discussions, and a community dialogue highlighting practical solutions such as ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and youth-led climate action. Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening local resilience, supporting vulnerable communities, and accelerating collective action towards achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Alongside the seminar, DYDF organised a tree planting campaign in coastal districts, engaging youth and local civil society leaders in hands-on restoration action.
As a UNCCD-accredited organisation and active Drynet member, DYDF reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive, community-driven solutions for restoring degraded landscapes, empowering young people, and advocating for stronger national and global action to combat desertification and drought.
Highlights of the event are available here
AIDER, Peru
AIDER commemorated Desertification and Drought Day by hosting a meeting titled “Desertification: Global Challenges, Local Responses”, bringing together specialists from academia, government and civil society to exchange knowledge on strategies and territorial frameworks for combating desertification, as well as practical solutions implemented by local communities.
At the event, AIDER presented its integrated approach to combating desertification in northern Peru, demonstrating that it is possible to contribute to the health of the land while improving the quality of life of the communities that depend on it. Key elements of this approach include:
- Sustainable management of dry forests and cattle raising without damaging the natural ecosystem.
- Green infrastructure and efficient water management.
- Co-management of protected natural areas.
Under the framework of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, AIDER also highlighted that sustainable rangeland management is context-specific and in some landscapes, the connection between rangelands and other ecosystems is indivisible, making integrated approaches essential.
ENDA, Senegal
To mark Desertification and Drought Day under the theme: “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”, ENDA ENERGIE showcased concrete initiatives for land restoration and building resilience to the effects of desertification and drought.
ENDA ENERGIE visited the solar-powered agricultural area at Keur Aladji Macoumba (Toubacouta), part of the OPTE project promoting solar-powered irrigation. The project supports women and young people in developing resilient agriculture, as demonstrated by the harvest of high-quality off-season watermelons. This initiative shows how the energy transition can help restore land, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
At the same time, ENDA ENERGIE mobilised partners around initiatives for reforestation, regeneration of degraded land and the protection of ecosystems across several localities in Senegal, including in Mballing (Thies), Foundiougne, Djirnda (Fatick), Porokhane (Diourbel), Hillol, Kagnabon and Djanki (Bignona), reaffirming its commitment to restoring natural capital and advancing sustainable development.
DRYNET
Drynet issued a statement to mark Desertification and Drought Day in celebration of rangelands, committing to ensure that pastoralist communities across the global drylands are fully recognised as the stewards of their rangelands and supported in their efforts to manage them sustainably.
Read the full statement here.
