2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification
UN Secretary-General interim report is presented to the General Assembly

New York, 2 November 2005 - The interim report of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on the status of preparations for the 2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) was presented today to the General Assembly. The International Year was declared at the 58th session of the General Assembly in an effort to curb Desertification around the globe, with its devastating environmental, social and economic costs.

The IYDD provides a major opportunity both to strengthen the visibility and importance of the drylands issue on the international environmental agenda and to highlight the truly global nature of the problem. All countries and civil society organizations have been encouraged to undertake special initiatives to mark the Year, and preparations are now well under way around the world.

The report illustrated the wide range of events planned at local, national and international level surrounding the theme of Desertification, and which aim to underline the important link between land degradation and poverty. In this regard, major initiatives will be undertaken on key sectoral issues such as:

• Youth and Desertification (Bamako, Mali),
• Women and Desertification (Beijing, China),
• Desertification and Migration (Almeria, Spain),
• Civil Society and Desertification (Montpellier, France),
• Science and Desertification (Tunis and Nairobi),
• Poverty, Hunger and Desertification (Geneva, Switzerland).

As culmination of the International Year, the Government of Algeria will be hosting a Summit of Heads of State on the theme of Desertification, Migration and Security.

The Year will also celebrate deserts as unique ecosystems, millennia-old natural habitats and home to some of the world's most vibrant civilizations. Details were given on a number of cultural events scheduled to take place, which will portray the rich social and cultural dimensions of the world's deserts.

A related side event in the afternoon featured two of the honorary spokespersons for the International Year: H.E. Cherif Rahmani, Minister of Environment of Algeria, and Bulgarian international football star and Golden Boot winner Hristo Stoitchkov, who will lend their voice and support throughout the Year.

Mr. Stoitchkov committed himself to "promoting this message amongst future generations and particularly through soccer, probably the single most powerful and fraternal sport in the world that resonates among nations and brings people together."  In this regard, a major football match is being planned between players from Europe and affected countries, particularly from Africa.

On the other hand, H.E. Rahmani stressed the need to use the opportunity presented by IYDD to "protect the biological diversity, knowledge and traditions of affected communities living in the desert."

Note to journalists: For further information see www.iydd2006.org
Or contact Joyce Hannah at (+49-228) 815 2857