G7 declaration recognises land degradation and drought as global security risk

At their recent meeting held in Paris/France from the 23^rd–24^th April, the Environment Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) formally recognised desertification, land degradation and drought as systemic global challenges and security risk multipliers. In their declaration, the ministers stress the strategic importance of addressing the land degradation-security nexus, highlighting how environmental pressures are intensifying competition over resources, contributing to displacement and heightening risks of instability. 

Closing the implementation gap

Welcoming the declaration, Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said this political recognition must now translate into action. “Land degradation and drought are already shaping the daily lives of millions of people, affecting what they can grow, what they can eat and whether they can remain on their land,” Fouad noted. “Restoring land is therefore an investment in peace, resilience and long-term stability. What is needed now is to match political attention with the financing and partnerships required to deliver. Countries had already identified their priorities and targets, she added, stressing the challenge now was  "real progress on the ground". 

Over 40 per cent of intrastate conflicts linked to disputes over natural resources

According to the UNCCD, land degradation already affects a significant share of the world’s land – up to 40 per cent – and costs an estimated 900 billion US dollars annually, with cascading impacts across food systems, water availability, economies and livelihoods. An estimated 3.2 billion people already live in areas affected by land degradation. In the past six decades, over 40 per cent of intrastate conflicts have been linked to disputes over natural resources, particularly land and water, underscoring the growing security implications of land degradation and drought, the UNCCD states.

Seven declarations adopted

The Environment Ministers highlighted that investment in land restoration and drought resilience remained insufficient and fragmented, calling for stronger alignment of public and private finance and greater coordination across international financial institutions. In support of these commitments, the French Presidency announced initiatives such as the Nature & People Finance Alliance, aimed at scaling up public and private investment in nature and ecosystems. Zudem wurden fünf weitere declarations adopted, unter andere zu oceans  (inluding the management of marine protected areas and fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing) and water and environmental health (including addressing water pollution and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS] and microplastics).

Hopes now pinned on COP17

Looking ahead, Executive Secretary Fouad stressed that COP17 – to be held in Mongolia in August 2026 – must now deliver tangible progress on land restoration and drought resilience, translating into “visible progress, particularly in the most vulnerable regions". 

(UNCCD/sri)

More information:

Link to G7 press release

Link to UNCCD press release

Link to Declaration