[ 17 June 2009]
The United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 the "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" in 1994 to promote public awareness and implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification.
Ever since, country Parties to the Convention, organizations of the United Nations System, international and non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders have celebrated this particular day with a series of outreach activities worldwide.
The theme for 2009 is “Conserving land and water = Securing our common future”. UNDP “Sustainable Land Management for Combating Desertification” project, “Strengthening Environmental Governance” project, and SDC Combating Desertification Project organized one-month campaign in collaboration with Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism. This day constitutes a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification can be effectively tackled and that solutions are possible. We see this day as an additional opportunity to increase awareness on land degradation and desertification in Mongolia and increase participation at all levels in environmental protection and conservation.
Detailed events included:
- Press Conference on desertification problem in Mongolia and policy actions;
- Training on desertification for reporters (causes, effects, possible solutions, terminology, role of reporters etc.);
- Messages on desertification on the big color screen in front of State Department Store, and on LED screens along main roads;
- Information and promos about the World Day to Combat Desertification appeared on main pages of major Mongolian websites www.olloo.mn, www.gogo.mn;
- Radio programme on desertification broadcast on the National Radio;
- Exhibition of photos submitted for photo contest on effects of desertification on our lives – Xanadu Art Gallery;
- Regular interviews on desertification and policy actions are published in everyday newspapers.
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