Columbia Speaks: ‘Restoring Land Is Pathway to Peace’
Colombia to Host 2025 Global Desertification and Drought Day (Image credit X.com)
Colombia to Host 2025 Global Desertification and Drought Day
By Amit Kumar
NEW DELHI, May 14, 2025 — The Republic of Colombia will take center stage in the global fight against land degradation as it hosts Desertification and Drought Day 2025 on June 17, in partnership with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The landmark event, to be held in Bogotá, will form part of the Global Land Forum and spotlight Colombia’s ambitious efforts to tackle desertification through nature-based solutions and inclusive development.
Held under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities,” the 2025 observance aims to raise global awareness about the urgent need to scale up land restoration to ensure food, water, jobs, and peace. Colombia’s decision to host the event reaffirms its commitment to land-based climate action and sustainable development.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized the global stakes, stating: “Land degradation is more than just an environmental issue — it is a direct threat to our health, food and water security, and the stability of societies. I thank the Republic of Colombia for its invitation to host this year’s observance, which will shine a light on how restoring land can protect nature, improve well-being, and build a more resilient future for all.”
Colombia’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Martha Viviana Carvajalino Villegas, echoed the call for urgent action, noting that land protection is a cornerstone of peace and survival.
“Without fertile soil, there is no food; without food, there is no peace. Protecting the soil is protecting life,” she said. “Our policies combine land restitution, equitable distribution, and sustainable management to turn the land into a shield against hunger and a legacy of dignity.”
Colombia’s Restoration Roadmap
Facing the challenge of land degradation over nearly 30% of its territory — approximately 34.39 million hectares — Colombia has committed to a bold restoration agenda. By 2030, it aims to:
- Restore 100,000 hectares of degraded land,
- Conserve 22,000 hectares of dry forest,
- Expand sustainable agroforestry systems, and
- Empower rural communities with targeted restoration and planning.
This year’s observance will also create a platform for youth, Indigenous communities, farmers, scientists, and civil society to share solutions that contribute to global sustainability goals.
A Global Imperative
Worldwide, land degradation, drought, and desertification cost the global economy an estimated $878 billion annually. Meanwhile, restoring more than one billion hectares of degraded land could yield up to $1.8 trillion in returns every year, with a return on investment ranging between $7 and $30 for every dollar spent.
Despite this compelling economic case, global restoration efforts still fall short. The 2025 observance in Colombia is expected to energize global momentum, especially in the lead-up to UNCCD COP16, and inspire greater investment and action in sustainable land management.
Since its inception by the UN General Assembly in 1994, Desertification and Drought Day, marked annually on 17 June, has served as a vital platform to highlight scalable, people-centered solutions to environmental degradation.
Colombia while preparing to host the world in Bogotá is sending a powerful message: restoring land is not just an environmental priority — it is a pathway to peace, equity, and resilience for generations to come.
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