Desertification and land degradation

Desertification and land degradation are very serious challenges. They lead to hunger and poverty, drive unemployment, forced migration and conflict, while increasing the risk of extreme weather related to climate change.

But recent achievements in restoration and sustainable land management show that these problems are not insurmountable. Bold action and investments are needed to boost food security, improve livelihoods and help people adapt to a changing climate.

The restoration needs and opportunities are huge. Over 10 million hectares around the Sahara must be restored every year to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030.

Action Against Desertification’s successful approach has paved the way for large-scale restoration in support of small-scale farming. It will have to be replicated on a massive scale to meet increasing demand for land restoration.

Expanding Africa's Great Green Wall

The Great Green Wall is Africa's flagship initiative to combat climate change and desertification and address food insecurity and poverty. It can be a game-changer for Africa, transforming the lives of millions of people by creating a great mosaic of green and productive landscapes across North Africa, the Sahel and the Horn.

Endorsed by the African Union in 2007 as the ‘Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative’ (GGWSSI), it brings together more than 20 African countries with international organizations, research institutes, civil society and grassroots organizations.

The Great Green Wall must not be seen as a wall of trees to hold back the desert. This idea that initially inspired the initiative has given way to the vision of a mosaic of sustainable land use practices. At the same time, the wall is a metaphor to express the solidarity between African countries and their supporters.