World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is currently celebrated under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC–PMKSY). The day is observed to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification, and the 2026 observance is organised by the UNCCD with Kenya as the host country.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (2026):

Dimension	Key Details
Aim	The day provides for promoting public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
Observed on	The day is observed globally on June 17.
Declaration	The day has been declared by the UN General Assembly in 1995.
Organised by	The 2026 observance is organised by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Host country (2026)	Kenya is the host country for 2026.
Theme (2026)	The theme comprises: “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”
Theme component: Recognize	Recognize provides for recognising rangelands’ economic value, biodiversity role, and ecosystem services.
Theme component: Respect	Respect provides for respecting pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities’ knowledge.
Theme component: Restore	Restore provides for investing in sustainable management, governance, drought readiness, and community led efforts.
Slogan (2026)	The slogan comprises: “No such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy soil.”
Purpose statement (rangelands)	Rangelands cover more than half of the world’s land surface yet remain among the most undervalued ecosystems.
Pressures on rangelands	Rangelands face increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation, and competing land uses.
Definition: Rangelands	Rangelands comprise vast expanses of land dominated by native vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, and open woodland.