Press Conference: World Day to Combat Desertification
UNCCD Press Conference on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification on 16 June in Rio de Janeiro
(3BL Media) June 15, 2012 -
What: UNCCD Press Conference on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification
When: 11:00 – 11:30 BRT, Saturday, 16 June 2012
Where: Press Center, Pavilion 3 (Rio Centro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The press conference provides a preview of the global observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), which will be celebrated in an all-day event on Sunday, 17 June 2012 at the Rio Conventions Pavilion, Athletes Park.
Mr. Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of UN Convention to Combat Desertification, will elaborate on the expectations from Rio+20 and the WDCD theme, “Healthy Soil Sustains Your Life: LET’S GO LAND-DEGRADATION NEUTRAL”.
Drawing on practical examples, Dr. Dennis Garrity, UNCCD Drylands Ambassador and the immediate former Director-General of the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), will talk about the feasibility of the targets proposed by the call.
President of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Ms Yolanda Kakabadse will speak about the semi-finalists of the Land for Life Award. Launched by the UNCCD for the first time in 2011, the Land for Life Award will recognize efforts that promote the natural health and productivity of the earth’s soils.
One of the winners of the UNCCD Children and Youth Competition Ms Kehkashan Basu will speak about her work to combat desertification and why it matters for future generations.
The press conference will also be webcast live.
For more information and interviews please contact:
Ms Wagaki Mwangi
Public Information and Media Officer
+491732687593
About UNCCD
Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development issues to sustainable land management. UNCCD addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands. The Convention’s 195 Parties are working to improve the living conditions in the drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought.
