UN News: 17 June 2003

9th World Day to
Combat Desertification and Drought

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As part of its international campaign to tackle global environmental deterioration and in particular combatting drylands’ degradation – which cover up to one quarter of the world’s land surface – the United Nations General Assembly has designated June 17 as "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". Celebrated worldwide, this day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Following an established practice with the host country of the secretariat, this year the event will be celebrated in Hamburg, Germany, at the invitation of the local authorities and civil society.

The theme this year is "Water Resource Management and Desertification".