2006: International Year of Deserts and Desertification

Desertification, land degradation caused by human-induced factors and climate change, affects one third of the Earth's surface and over 1 billion people. At its 58th session, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2006 to be the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD).

The dedication of the Year is meant to strengthen the visibility and importance of drylands, which constitute about 41 percent of the Earth's surface, support more than 2 billion people and are home to some of the most magnificent ecosystems of the world: the deserts. It will also celebrate the fragile beauty and unique heritage of the world's deserts, while emphasizing that desertification is a global problem.

All countries and civil society organizations are encouraged to undertake special initiatives to mark the Year and to raise awareness of desertification.

Source: 2006: International Year of Deserts and Desertification

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