This year’s Desertification and Drought Day focuses on one of the most urgent global challenges: restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and jumpstarting a trillion-dollar land restoration economy by 2030.

Under the theme "Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities", the 2025 observance shines a light on how restoring nature’s foundation—land—can create jobs, boost food and water security, support climate action and build economic resilience.

A turning point for the planet

As we reach the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), action is more urgent than ever. To meet global goals, 1.5 billion hectares must be restored by 2030. So far, 1 billion hectares have been pledged through initiatives like the G20 Global Land Restoration Initiative and the Great Green Wall Initiative.

Now is the time to turn ambition into action.

About the Day

Desertification and Drought Day, designated by the UN General Assembly in 1994, is observed annually on 17 June. It raises awareness and promotes solutions to desertification, land degradation and drought. 

Events take place worldwide. The 2025 global observance event will be hosted by the government of Colombia. Previous observances have been hosted by Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018) and Burkina Faso (2017).

Join us this 17 June to restore the land—and unlock the opportunities for a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future.

Read more about how you can participate here.