FAO Statement: UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, PGA High-Level Meeting

FAO Statement: UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, PGA High-Level Meeting

Angélica Jácome, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

10/07/2025

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

FAO welcomes the ongoing collaboration with countries and the members of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

We have heard today the multiple impacts of sand and dust storms. This includes the effects on agriculture, with its contribution to land degradation negatively affecting the productivity of agricultural lands and adversely impacting food security and nutrition.

Current projections of greater aridity and worsening drought conditions indicate that wind erosion and the multidimensional impacts of sand and dust storms (SDS) are likely to worsen further in the future.

To counter the impact of SDS on different sectors, global, regional and interregional collaboration is key, as are the mobilization of resources and strong commitments from countries and partners.

FAO is committed to providing countries with support in implementing mitigation practices, contingency planning and policy options, which we have launched a series of relevant reports including:

• Sand and Dust Storms: A Guide to Mitigation, Adaptation, Policy and Risk Management Measures in Agriculture, which includes, among others, a database on sustainable land and water management practices and risk reduction measures to mitigate sand and dust storm sources and its impacts on the affected areas.
• In addition, we launched the Guideline on the Integration of Sand and Dust Storm Management into Key Policy Areas published by UNCCD and FAO in collaboration with other partners, aiming to create an enabling environment for more effective sand and dust storm management.

We continue to work together to enhance the management of SDS in high-risk areas, in which most cases go beyond national boundaries. We need to continue to foster education, raise public awareness, increase financing and scale-up mitigation and risk management practices.

Some of these practices include sustainable land and water management, agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation programmes, and the restoration of agricultural lands and soils. They also include conducting SDS risk assessments, mainstreaming SDS and agricultural good practices into national disaster risk reduction and establishing early warning systems.

FAO is committed to supporting its Members to enhance the understanding of SDS processes and impacts to assist countries in combating SDS, and reducing their impacts on food security, nutrition and agriculture. We are also committed to continuing to support the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms coordinated efforts.

The Sand and Dust Storm phenomena will not disappear, however, together we can mitigate the sources and reduce the adverse impacts of SDS on societies and economies and contribute to the achievement of food security, nutrition and the overall sustainable development goals.

Thank you very much.