Global Food Security Threatened by Intensifying Desertification / Iran’s Projects Are a Regional Model for Combating Desertification

The ceremony marking Desertification and Drought Day was held at Imam Khomeini International Airport City, attended by Dr. Reza Aflatooni, Deputy Minister and Head of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization of Iran, representatives of specialized international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and executive bodies. During their speeches at the ceremony, representatives of specialized international organizations warned about the intensification of the desertification crisis and its impact on food security.

ECO Secretary General: Desertification Is a Transboundary Threat / Iran’s Projects Should Be Utilized in ECO Countries

The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), speaking at the ceremony, warned about the intensification of the desertification crisis and the consequences of climate change in the region and emphasized the need to strengthen transboundary cooperation among member countries.

Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, referring to the climatic conditions of ECO member countries, including Iran, Türkiye, Pakistan, and the Central Asian countries, stated: “Climate change, mismanagement of water resources, and soil erosion have placed the region in an emergency situation.”

While commending Iran for implementing the “Imam Khomeini International Airport Greenbelt” project and the plan to plant one billion trees, he described these initiatives as effective steps towards combating desertification and increasing the region’s environmental resilience. He expressed hope that these experiences would also be utilized in other ECO member countries.

The ECO Secretary General also emphasized the practical implementation of the “Samarkand Declaration” and the “ECO Environmental Cooperation Framework” and called for these documents to move from the drafting stage to practical action.

He described the Imam Khomeini International Airport greenbelt project as a successful and inspiring example of dryland restoration and stated: “Iran’s experience demonstrates that desertification can be controlled through the application of indigenous knowledge and the participation of experts.”

APDIM Emphasizes Land Restoration and Strengthening Resilience on Desertification and Drought Day

Letizia Rossano, Director of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), also stated in a video message broadcast during the Desertification and Drought Day ceremony: “Land restoration does not merely mean protecting the environment; it also lays the foundation for creating new opportunities, strengthening resilience, and improving the quality of life of communities.”

Referring to APDIM’s regional experiences in Asia and the Pacific, she described sand and dust storms as among the most significant consequences of land degradation and pressure on ecosystems and said: “Regional assessments indicate that these phenomena are directly linked to land instability and degradation.”

The APDIM Director described the greenbelt development project as an effective step towards restoring degraded lands and increasing the resilience of communities. She stated: “These projects go beyond mere tree-planting programmes and constitute strategic investments in protecting vulnerable lands and strengthening ecosystems.”

In conclusion, while expressing appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization of Iran, she emphasized the need to expand regional cooperation, exchange knowledge, and take collective action to combat desertification and drought.

FAO Representative: Intensifying Desertification Threatens Global Food Security

Dr. Farrokh Tairov, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iran, warned on the occasion of Desertification and Drought Day about the increasing rate of soil erosion and the expansion of desertification.

Referring to FAO statistics, he announced: “To date, 1.7 billion hectares of land worldwide have been affected by erosion, while another two billion hectares are at risk.”

According to him, the annual loss of 12 million hectares of land represents a serious threat to food security and the future of coming generations.

The FAO Representative described Iran’s geographical position, due to its location at the boundary between high-rainfall and desert regions, as highly vulnerable to climate change. He emphasized: “The use of indigenous knowledge alongside scientific research plays an important role in combating desertification.”

Tairov also reported on FAO’s cooperation with international institutions and Iranian researchers in implementing ecosystem restoration projects, including the Lake Urmia restoration project, and described the participation of local communities as the key to successful management of this crisis.

Iran on the Front Line of the Climate Crisis; United Nations Emphasizes Strengthening Resilience

The Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), referring to Iran’s position on the front line of climate challenges, emphasized the need to strengthen resilience against drought, desertification, and sand and dust storms.

Speaking at the ceremony marking Desertification and Drought Day, Aishani stated that Iran understands the necessity of addressing environmental challenges more than many other countries in the world and said: “Severe droughts, land degradation, and sand and dust storms have affected the livelihoods and lives of millions of people.”

Referring to the importance of the ecosystems of the Zagros Mountains, the Alborz Mountains, the Central Plateau, and the Lut Desert, she described these regions as part of Iran’s identity, culture, and history and welcomed the attention given in the Seventh Development Plan to watershed management, rangeland restoration, and increased climate resilience.

The UNDP representative also described the “Greenbelt” project as an example of Iran’s commitment to protecting natural resources and emphasized the development of innovative solutions, including the use of renewable energy in the country’s infrastructure.

In conclusion, Aishani stated that the main objective of environmental projects goes beyond planting trees and said: “Building resilience, strengthening public participation, and increasing social hope are the most important achievements of these projects.”