Zimbabwe Marks Global Desertification and Drought Day with Call to Restore Land and Boost Resilience

Land Degradation in the outskirts of the city

Reporter

Zimbabwe today joins the global community in observing Desertification and Drought Day under the theme “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.” This event underscores the urgent need to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and harness the socio-economic benefits of sustainable land management.

Director General of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Mr Aaron Chigona, highlighted that this day affirms humanity’s collective responsibility to rejuvenate degraded landscapes.

“This observance serves as a critical affirmation of humanity’s collective capacity to revitalise degraded terrestrial ecosystems.”

For Zimbabwe, with its strong agricultural foundation, the call for land restoration holds significant national importance.

“Our dedication to land restoration transcends mere environmental compliance; it represents a foundational pillar of our national developmental aspirations.”

The challenges of land degradation and drought directly impact agricultural output and socio-economic stability, which are vital for achieving the Vision 2030 goals aimed at an empowered, prosperous upper middle-income society. Zimbabwe is committed to ambitious Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, reflecting its dedication to reversing land degradation. Mr Chigona emphasised that these targets are not just numbers but embody a shared commitment to restoring wetlands, forests, and grasslands. The country will showcase its environmental leadership by hosting the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands from July 23 to 31, 2025. This event will underscore Zimbabwe’s commitment to conserving wetland ecosystems. Restoration efforts are integral to sustainable water management and climate resilience.

“Through the restoration of our land, we are not solely improving environmental conditions; we are concurrently forging new avenues for economic expansion and human welfare,” said Mr Chigona.

The potential benefits include the creation of green jobs, improved agricultural yields, revitalisation of eco-tourism, enhanced water quality, and stronger climate resilience.

As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) progresses, Zimbabwe emphasises the importance of inclusive action. Mr Chigona urged all individuals, community leaders, corporations, and policymakers to engage in sustainable land practices and restoration initiatives.

“Let us embark upon the restoration of our land, unlocking profound opportunities for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable Zimbabwe,” he concluded, reinforcing the collective responsibility towards achieving Vision 2030.