The OSS in the preparatory phase of the Desertif'actions 2026 International Summit

On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated every June 17, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainable land management and strengthening territorial resilience in the face of the growing effects of climate change and recurring droughts. 

In this context, it takes part in the preparatory phase of the Desertif'actions International Summit, due on March 2026 in Djerba, Tunisia, as part of the initiative launched in collaboration with the UNCCD, CARI, WWF, and ACDD. This inclusive approach aims to build collective, structured, and ambitious advocacy in the face of the growing challenges of drought and land degradation and provides a platform for mobilizing all stakeholders - civil society, public institutions, scientists, and territorial representatives - around a shared vision of resilience and sustainability. The conclusions and recommendations emerging from this process will enrich international debates, particularly at the UNCCD CoP17.

As a leading regional actor, the OSS is leveraging its intergovernmental mandate, scientific expertise, and local connections to fully contribute to this dynamic through three complementary areas:

• Mobilizing national and regional stakeholders in its member countries to ensure a fair and accurate representation of local realities;
• Sharing knowledge, data, and best practices on early warning, mitigation, and response mechanisms for droughts;
• Supporting territorial governance and integrated and sustainable natural resource management, with a focus on sustainability and adaptation.

Through its active participation in this dynamic, the OSS is truly working to amplify the voice of vulnerable territories, to consider inclusive responses to the challenges of desertification, and to foster the emergence of concrete, sustainable, and shared solutions that benefit populations and ecosystems.

We are glad to inform you that a questionnaire will be launched from June 17 to July 20, 2025, with the aim of mapping existing drought management systems, assessing their effectiveness in different contexts, and collecting your feedback and contributions. Are you a professional, an associative actor, an institutional representative, or merely an engaged citizen? Your experience and feedback will help inform the Désertif'actions 2026 debates and strengthen the advocacy at CoP17. 

Fill the online questionnaire; it will only take a few minutes: the questionnaire