UN Declares Decade to Battle Sand and Dust Storms

The UN General Assembly declared 2025-2034 the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. The initiative aims to reduce the negative impacts of these storms through international cooperation. Sand and dust storms contribute significantly to health problems, crop and livestock damage, and desertification, worsened by climate change and human activities.

The UN General Assembly has declared 2025-2034 the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. These events are increasingly threatening health and economies globally, especially in central Africa and northern China.

Uganda's UN Ambassador Godfrey Kwoba introduced the resolution, backed by the Group of 77 and China, aiming to mitigate the negative effects of sand and dust storms through international cooperation. The resolution passed by consensus, endorsed by assembly president Dennis Francis.

The 2022 report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification highlights a significant rise in the frequency of sand and dust storms. These events worsen respiratory health, kill crops and livestock, and promote desertification, although impact documentation is sparse.

The convention estimates that 2 trillion tons of sand and dust enter the atmosphere yearly, primarily in dry and sub-humid regions. While natural conditions are the primary source, human activities like unsustainable land management contribute significantly to emissions.

As part of the initiative, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation will promote sustainable practices in affected regions, including agroforestry and land restoration. The resolution also calls for enhanced global cooperation in early warning systems to forecast sand and dust storms.

The adoption comes ahead of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms on July 12, first to be celebrated since its declaration last year to raise public awareness about the importance of combating these storm impacts on health, land use, food security, and climate change resilience.

(With inputs from agencies.)