On 17 June 2025 — coinciding with the UN’s Desertification and Drought Day — the European Commission unveiled two flagship initiatives aimed at bolstering resilience against desertification and drought in a globally inclusive and gender-equitable manner:
1. Water Resilience Indicators Report
- Developed in partnership with UNEP, this report delivers data-driven benchmarks to guide policymakers and planners in improving drought preparedness.
- The Commission is also contributing scientific expertise to the International Drought Resilience Observatory, part of the UNCCD’s efforts.
2. Training Programme for Women Negotiators
- An EU-led effort to boost women’s presence and leadership in environmental diplomacy, focusing on upcoming negotiations under UNCCD COP17 scheduled for August 2026 in Mongolia.
These moves integrate with the broader EU Water Resilience Strategy, which emphasizes nature-based solutions to safeguard the water cycle, enhance water security, and prepare for natural disasters like droughts. Moreover, they support initiatives in the Sahel and Horn of Africa — such as the Great Green Wall and EU-funded K4GGWA programme — and leverage tools like the Global Drought Observatory under Copernicus EMS for real-time monitoring and early warnings.
In a nutshell:
✅ Data & science-driven: New indicators and observatory collaboration enhance global drought readiness.
👩🎓 Gender empowerment: Targeted training expands women’s roles in environmental negotiations.
🌍 Part of EU-wide resilience strategy that spans local and global efforts, ecosystem restoration, and early-warning systems.
