A shared commitment to address desertification, land degradation and drought as multipliers of security risks

We recognise that desertification, land degradation and drought are systemic environmental, economic, social and security challenges of global concern, posing mounting risks to ecosystems, livelihood, food and water security, economic stability and sustainable growth, in particular in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

Over the past six decades, desertification, land degradation and drought have intensified competition over natural resources and contributed to increasing migration and displacement. In this context, we emphasise that addressing desertification, land degradation and drought, aiming to achieve voluntary land degradation neutrality targets, is critical in supporting affected countries, protecting the environment, preventing tensions and strengthening stability and peace.

We further acknowledge that, investment in land restoration and drought resilience remains insufficient and fragmented. Restoring degraded terrestrial ecosystems and strengthening drought resilience is essential to conserving biodiversity, securing food systems, generating income and employment opportunities for communities on the frontlines, and reinforcing the long-term stability and prosperity of affected regions.

Building on these shared assessments and drawing on our respective experiences across environmental, development and security policies, we reaffirm the need to address these interlinked challenges through integrated, coordinated and forward-looking action. We stress the strategic importance of fully recognising the land degradation-security nexus in order to reduce conflict drivers linked to resource scarcity, and promote protection, conservation, sustainable management, restoration and promoting resilience-building in affected landscapes as critical investments in peace, long-term prosperity, food and water security and improved livelihoods.

We also recognise the pivotal role of local and regional authorities, among other partners and stakeholders, as key actors in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Promoting capacity-building actions is essential to mitigate cascading risks associated with drought and land degradation, while enabling more proactive and risk-informed approaches that unlock opportunities for sound projects and resilience.

Furthermore, we recognise the importance of mobilising and aligning public and private capital at scale around land restoration and drought resilience. Enhancing appropriate coordination between international financial institutions, multilateral environmental funds and bilateral partners, is crucial to catalyse co-investment alongside private actors in drought-resilient landscapes. In this regard, building on partner countries priorities, we will work, as appropriate, with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other multilateral and international environmental funds, and with qualified blended finance vehicles such as the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Fund or the emerging Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF). Innovative and cooperative approaches can help bridge gaps and unlock the scale of investment required to position land restoration and drought resilience as foundational pillars of prosperity and peace. We encourage all countries to take advantage of existing mechanisms to build drought resilience, reverse land degradation, and enhance land restoration.

Through this statement, we reaffirm the central role of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as well as our commitments and determination to advance land and ecosystem protection, sustainable management and restoration as a strategic priority in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. By doing so, we aim to strengthen resilience, enhance food and water security, ensure land tenure security, sustain livelihoods and contribute to a more stable, secure and prosperous future for all. To this end, we look forward to the forthcoming UNCCD COP17 as a key opportunity to advance the goals of the Convention.

[back to top]

Source: Ministères de l'Aménagement du territoire et de la Décentralisation, des Transports, de la Ville et du Logement

—	This Information System is provided by the University of Toronto Libraries and the G7 Research Group at the University of Toronto.
	Please send comments to: g7@utoronto.ca This page was last updated April 24, 2026.