On 17 June, the World Day to Combat Desertification, developed countries are being encouraged to take a more active role in combatting land degradation and desertification.

Although land degradation is more prevalent in developing countries, it impacts both directly and indirectly on developed countries.

According to Monique Barbut, executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), about 55 per cent of the world’s agricultural land has suffered degradation to some extent. Europe is not been immune to this, losing an area equivalent to Cyprus every 10 years due to degradation.

When degradation and desertification occur in places such as Africa, it can amplify conflicts and lead to migration which then spills over to Europe. Barbut says developed countries are not actively dealing with world land degradation and desertification.

However, some good news has come from China where the government and private sector have been supporting anti-desertification initiatives and reducing poverty. In one such project, around 450,000 hectares of land have been restored through agroforestry. These efforts have also lifted 2.7 million people out of poverty.

Read the full story on Global Post: Developed countries should actively counter desertification: UN official

Find out more about the World Day to Combat Desertification