Secretary-General's message 2025
What¡¯s good for land is good for people and economies.
But humanity is degrading land at an alarming rate, costing the global economy nearly $880 billion every year ¡ª far more than the investments needed to tackle the problem.
Droughts are forcing people from their homes, and inflaming food insecurity ¨C the number of newly displaced people is at its highest level in years.
Repairing the damage we have done to our land offers huge benefits, including a great return on investment. It can reduce poverty, create jobs, safeguard water supplies, protect food production, and improve land rights and incomes ¨C especially for smallholder farmers and women.
The theme of this year¡¯s Desertification and Drought Day ¨C ¡°Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities¡± ¨C is both a statement of fact and a call to action.
I urge governments, businesses, and communities to answer the call and accelerate action on our shared global commitments on sustainable land use. We must reverse degradation, and boost finance for restoration ¨C including by unlocking private investment.
Let¡¯s act now to heal land, seize opportunities, and improve lives.
Repairing the damage we have done to our land offers huge benefits, including a great return on investment. It can reduce poverty, create jobs, safeguard water supplies, protect food production, and improve land rights and incomes ¨C especially for smallholder farmers and women.¡±
Ant¨®nio Guterres
