KARACHI, June 16: Pakistan will be observing World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17 with the theme “the beauty of deserts and the challenge of desertification.”Observance of the day is in consonance to the Resolution 58/211 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly asking all relevant international organizations and member states to support the activities related to desertification, including land degradation.

The resolution adopted in December 2003 specifically focuses on affected countries, in particular African countries and least developed countries urging them to seeking coordinated efforts to in its resolution.

World Day to Combat Desertification holds extreme relevance to Pakistan with major part of it comprising arid, semi-arid land. Desertification i.e. the loss of land's biological productivity in arid, semi arid and dry sub-humid areas is one of the most serious threats facing humanity.

This observance also coincides with the International Year of Deserts and Desertification, and with the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which plays an important role in efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals.—APP