Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to you all on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which takes place on June 17th each year. This day aims to raise global awareness of the dangers associated with desertification, land degradation, and drought, and to urge countries to take action to confront this critical challenge. This year’s observance is held under the theme: “Reclaiming land, Unleashing Opportunity” emphasizing the restoration of one of nature’s foundations—the land—as a means to create employment opportunities, enhance food and water security, support climate action, and foster economic resilience. The most urgent global goal has now become the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and the revitalization of a trillion-dollar land restoration economy by the year 2030.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the Desert Research Center, as the Egyptian National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and as a leading national institution in the sustainability of natural resources in arid and semi-arid environments, we fully recognize the importance of supporting scientific and applied efforts to combat desertification. We are committed to preserving and developing land resources, enhancing their productivity, and addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. We are acutely aware that land is not merely a place to live, but a source of life, a cradle of biodiversity, and the foundation of food and water security for millions of people.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Guided by the directives of His Excellency, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, we firmly believe in the importance of our national role in this field. We are earnestly striving to contribute positively to the implementation of the ambitious presidential plan to build a brighter future for our beloved country. This comes at a time when the frequency of conflicts around us is increasing, with serious repercussions on the environment and the integrity of land resources.
As President of the Desert Research Center, I am pleased to highlight the national efforts currently undertaken by the Center, including several national and developmental projects in collaboration with local and international partners, such as:
* The National Project for the Development and Settlement of Bedouin Communities in New Reclamation Areas.
* Projects utilizing non-conventional water resources for agricultural expansion and desertification control, particularly in marginal areas.
* Initiatives to restore degraded lands within the framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
The Center also continues its role in providing integrated studies, transferring modern technologies to farmers and pastoralists, and building the capacities of youth and women in local communities to ensure the sustainability of results.
As the National Coordinator for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, I affirm that our national, regional, and international commitments in this field are progressing with a clear vision centered on cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of sustainable land management. This contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”
Dear Colleagues,
On this day, we are all called upon to elevate the value of scientific research and to work together toward a greener future for the generations to come—especially in the areas where the Center operates—so that the efforts to combat desertification become a tangible reality that exemplifies the vital role of the Desert Research Center in this field.
In conclusion, I am honored to extend to His Excellency, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, my heartfelt congratulations on this year’s observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification, which comes at a time of unprecedented efforts led by the Ministry under his leadership. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributes through their sincere efforts to combating desertification and drought and to protecting our nation’s land resources. My sincere thanks go to all the staff of the Center for their tireless efforts in safeguarding the environment, developing land, and combating desertification and drought in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Our collective work is the path to a safer and more sustainable future.
