The United Nations General Assembly declared the years 2025-2034 as the United Nations Decade to Combat Sand and Dust Storms, addressing these increasingly frequent and harmful weather events affecting regions from central Africa to northern China.
Ugandan Ambassador to the UN Godfrey Kwoba, representing the Group of 77 and China, introduced the resolution aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of sand and dust storms through enhanced international and regional cooperation.
The assembly unanimously adopted the resolution, with President Dennis Francis presiding over the decision.
According to a 2022 report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, sand and dust storms have notably increased in frequency, posing threats such as respiratory illnesses, agricultural losses, and desertification, though comprehensive data on their impacts remains limited.
Natural factors primarily contribute to the annual 2 trillion tonnes of sand and dust entering the atmosphere, predominantly in arid and semi-arid regions with sparse vegetation. Human activities, including unsustainable land management and water use, account for at least 25% of these emissions.
Under the newly adopted initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will spearhead efforts to promote mitigation practices in affected nations, focusing on sustainable land use management, agroforestry, and land restoration initiatives.
The resolution also calls for strengthened global collaboration to bolster early warning systems and facilitate the sharing of critical meteorological data for predicting sand and dust storms.
This resolution coincides with the upcoming International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms on July 12, established last year by the General Assembly, marking its inaugural observance. Nations are encouraged to commemorate the day through educational initiatives and other activities aimed at raising awareness about combating these storms, safeguarding public health, enhancing land use practices, ensuring food security, fostering livelihoods, and bolstering climate resilience.