Ibrahim Thiaw
UNCCD Executive Secretary

Desertification and Drought Day is a United Nations observance day held on June 17th each year to raise awareness of the issues of desertification and drought. The global focus of the 2023 Desertification and Drought Day is on women’s land rights— essential for achieving the interconnected global goals on gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030 as well as advancing other Sustainable Development Goals.

Ibrahim Thiaw, the UNCCD Executive Secretary, delivered a message on Desertification and Drought Day 2023. In his message, he highlighted the critical role women play in the health of the land and how they often don’t have control over it. Women face significant barriers in securing land rights, limiting their ability to thrive and prosper. The theme for this year’s Desertification and Drought Day is “Her Land, Her Rights”.