23 June 2026 – Menzel Habib, Gabès Governorate, Tunisia.
On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Ministry of Environment of Tunisia, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, and the Green Desert Sagui Agricultural Development Group (GDA Green Desert Sagui) organized an awareness-raising day on 23 June 2026 in Menzel Habib, Gabès Governorate. The event focused on land preservation, combating desertification, and strengthening the resilience of arid and semi-arid areas to the impacts of climate change, while highlighting solutions adapted to local realities.
This initiative, carried out as part of the partners’ ongoing efforts, brought together farmers, civil society representatives, public institutions, researchers, rural development stakeholders, and local media around a common objective: to enhance understanding of the challenges related to land degradation and drought while showcasing solutions already being implemented at the local level.
The day began at the Green Desert GDA pilot site in Seguia, where participants discovered practical examples of sustainable land management in arid environments through ecosystem restoration initiatives, natural resource conservation efforts, and the adaptation of production systems to climatic constraints.
The visit continued with a young carob tree planting campaign conducted within the framework of experimentation in arid zones. This activity highlighted the role of vegetation cover in combating erosion, improving soil fertility, and preserving biodiversity.
The programme continued with a series of presentations on UNCCD-related issues, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) monitoring mechanisms, and technical solutions that support the adaptation of production systems to the increasing impacts of climate change.
Participants also explored opportunities offered by drought-resilient crops, such as quinoa, as well as the role of forest biodiversity in restoring degraded lands, conserving natural resources, and maintaining ecosystem services in arid and semi-arid regions.
The discussions provided an opportunity to showcase local initiatives and strengthen dialogue among communities, public institutions, and scientific and technical partners. They also underscored the need to enhance awareness, promote sustainable land management practices, and reinforce synergies among stakeholders in order to better address the challenges of land degradation and biodiversity loss.
This event benefited from the support of the Umbrella Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment of Tunisia and the OSS. This support aims to strengthen the participation of national stakeholders in the UNCCD reporting process and to assist Tunisia in monitoring its commitments related to sustainable land management and Land Degradation Neutrality.