The Government of Kenya and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Friday, December 12, 2025, announced that Kenya will host the next global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, to be held on June 17, 2026, under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”
Taking place in Kenya, the 2026 observance will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation and the cultural identity of pastoralist and Indigenous communities.
Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support the lives of two billion people, including 500 million pastoralists, who have stewarded these landscapes for generations.
Kenya’s decision to host the global observance was formally announced by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who extended a warm invitation to the international community to join Kenya next year:
“On behalf of the Government of Kenya allow me to extend a warm invitation to all. Next year, Kenya has the honour of hosting the Global Observance of the World Desertification and Drought Day. We warmly welcome all Member States, our partners, civil society and young people to join us as we shine a global spotlight on drought resilience, land restoration and the communities whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by these challenges.”
She added that “the presence of participants will not only enrich the observance but also reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding the world’s drylands and supporting the people who depend on them. As we celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we hope the global community will stand with Kenya in recognizing the immense value of these landscapes and those who steward them. We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya – as we rally the world to act on drought before drought acts on us.”
UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad, said: “We thank the Government of Kenya for hosting Desertification and Drought Day 2026 and for shining a spotlight on the world’s rangelands. These landscapes are vital for food, water, biodiversity and climate resilience. Kenya’s leadership comes at a crucial moment, as rangelands face increasing pressure worldwide. By recognising their value, respecting their traditional stewards and restoring rangelands back to health, we can strengthen the livelihoods of two billion people.”
She added that “up to half of the world’s rangelands are degraded, with some disappearing faster than rainforests, placing food security, water availability and pastoralist cultures at risk.”
Rangelands remain among the planet’s most undervalued ecosystems, despite their vast extent and critical importance. The degradation of these landscapes threatens biodiversity, climate regulation and the economies of countries that depend heavily on livestock production and grazing systems.
UNCCD’s recent technical assessments highlight that investing in rangeland restoration can generate returns of up to $35 for every $1 invested, due to the combined ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the 2026 Desertification and Drought Day observance will draw global attention to the need to recognise and value rangelands for the critical functions they provide, respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them for generations, and restore degraded landscapes to secure livelihoods and ecosystem services.
Through 2026 Desertification and Drought Day, countries and communities are invited to:
- Recognise: rangelands’ economic contribution to national and regional economies; their role in sustaining biodiversity and wildlife; and the multiple benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon
- Respect: pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems and ecological knowledge are essential to maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes
- Restore: rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness and supporting community-led restoration efforts
Desertification and Drought Day, marked every year on June 17, is the United Nations’ global moment to raise awareness of land degradation and drought, and to mobilise action to protect and restore healthy land.
Desertification and Drought Day 2026 in Kenya will be the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent will host this important global observance. Previous observances took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016).