World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Caring for the Land to Live Together in Convivence

On 17 June, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed, proclaimed by the United Nations to remind us that peace is also built by caring for the land we inhabit. In 2026, the international celebration focuses on rangelands under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”, with Kenya as the host country.

At the Córdoba Forum, World Convivence Forum, we wish to connect this environmental reflection with the spirit of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, that of Convivence, which we celebrated this year with some delay because of the Andalusian election calendar. Soil degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss are not only ecological problems: they affect food security, work, human displacement and the balance between communities.

Caring for the soil means caring for our shared life. Restoring the land also means restoring bonds of cooperation, responsibility and hope between generations, cultures and peoples.