The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has always accorded civil society organisations a unique role, far broader than that granted in its sister conventions on climate change or biodiversity. Yet, at COP16 and CRIC23, negotiations had to be suspended on several occasions to resolve an issue that might have seemed settled: the right of CSOs to be present in the discussion room. During the round table on the role of civil society in the UNCCD, held on 27 March during the Désertif’actions summit in Djerba, the speakers highlighted this growing vulnerability. But they also highlighted the victories achieved – such as that on land tenure security – and offered suggestions for moving forward: devising a strategy for influence at an early stage, collectively setting clear objectives, securing more accreditation to participate in the debates, working more closely with the agricultural sector… The field is wide open.

One billion dollars a day by 2030: that is the amount that would need to be raised to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and meet the targets of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This figure was at the heart of the round table on financing, held as part of the Désertif’actions summit on 26 March in Djerba. For behind this staggering figure lies another daunting challenge: the difficulty of channelling the money ‘to the right places’, where it will be effective.

Between 2000 and 2019, more than 1.4 billion people were affected by droughts. This figure from the FAO highlights the scale of the phenomenon, the frequency and intensity of which continue to increase over time. At the heart of discussions on the first day of the Désertif’actions summit, taking place in Djerba from 25 to 28 March, are the responses that public policy can offer

Discover the 30 selected drawings from the Press Cartoon Competition!

News from 15/09/2025Updated: 02/10/2025 The International Desertif’actions Summit will run throughout 2025, beginning in March 2025 with the organisation of preparatory workshops (possible until 30 September). The results of these workshops will be compiled in an overall report to form the basis of the arguments to be put forward at the summit.  Since June, a