At its 58th session, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2006 to be the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD). In so doing, the General Assembly underlines its deep concern for the exacerbation of desertification, particularly in Africa, and notes its far-reaching implications for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which must be met by 2015. This website contains information on the IYDD, news, events, links and publications.

The Convention offers new hope in the struggle against desertification. It promotes a fresh new approach to managing dryland ecosystems and development aid flows. It seeks to engage donor nations and agencies and recipient countries in a new partnership.