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Manage and mitigate the effects of sand and dust storms.

Stressing the need for global and regional cooperation to manage and mitigate the effects of sand and dust storms, the General Assembly today adopted by consensus a resolution establishing 12 July as International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, to be observed annually.

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United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (UNCCD).

In response to several recent General Assembly resolutions on Combating sand and dust storms, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Parties officially launched the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, committing the United Nations System to a proactive approach to combat Sand and dust storms (SDS), and to enhance cooperation and coordination on SDS at global, regional and sub-regional levels.

The mandate of the UN Coalition on Combating SDS, as defined by the participating entities is as follows:

Promote and coordinate a collaborative UN System response to SDS;

Facilitate exchange of knowledge, data and best practices among Coalition members to promote effective and coherent actions on SDS across the UN system and beyond;

Encourage and promote collaboration on initiatives and actions among members of the Coalition, including advocacy and funding initiatives;

Facilitate dialogue and collaboration amongst affected countries and the UN system in addressing SDS issues collectively;

Facilitate the capacity-building of Member States, raise their awareness and enhance their preparedness and response to SDS in critical regions.

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Launch of the SDS Toolbox of the UNCCD on the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS).

The frequency of sand and dust storms (SDS) is on the rise in various regions across the globe. This rise is attributed to factors such as human-driven climate change, desertification, land degradation, and persistent droughts. These storms occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from dry, arid soils into the atmosphere. They often carry these particles long distances, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. The effects of these storms are widespread and often devastating. The World Health Organization estimates that 7 million people die from poor air quality every year, which is at least partly attributed to dust. Sand and dust storms pose numerous threats to human health, disrupt livelihoods, and wreak havoc on the environment. Managing these impacts is a major challenge, as human activity, and desertification in one region can trigger sand and dust storms that cause significant damage in remote regions. Recognizing the urgent need for international cooperation to address SDS, the General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/77/294) on 8 June 2023, designating 12 July as the International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms. This day is intended to raise awareness of the link between health and sustainability in the context of SDS. To mark the first observance of the International Day to Combat SDS, several events were organized around the world. The “Commemoration of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms” event, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Senegal at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, featured various speakers from organizations collaborating in the UN SDS Coalition. At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) hosted a series of regional webinars bringing together stakeholders from different regions. In line with the observation of the day, the UNCCD launched the new SDS Toolbox, a result of its collaboration with SDS Coalition partners. The toolbox provides a comprehensive set of tools, strategies, and guidelines for understanding and mitigating the impact of SDS. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, extended a warm welcome to this initiative, stating, "We welcome the focus and efforts to raise awareness of this serious phenomenon. It shows how desertification and drought can have far-reaching effects beyond national borders and underlines the crucial role of cooperation in addressing these issues. We anticipate that the newly launched SDS Toolbox will foster much-needed collaboration by providing tools and guidance to our stakeholders." During the commemoration of the International Day to Combat SDS in New York, representatives of the SDS Coalition discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Coalition and various national and regional initiatives. They emphasized that regional cooperation is essential to address the transboundary nature of sand and dust storms and their impacts, and that regional action can complement national efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

See also:

General Assembly Proclaims 12 July International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, Aiming to Raise Awareness about Importance for Health, Sustainability

SDS toolbox

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Highlight the Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms on Oceans.

Each year, an estimated two billion tonnes of dust is raised into the atmosphere. According to the report, Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms on Oceans: A Scientific Environmental Assessment for Policy Makers, even the smallest elements can have substantive effects on ecosystem functioning – and on the Earth system, at large.

Facts & Figures

Approximately 2 million tonnes of sand and dust enter the atmosphere annually.

SDS mostly occur in dry and desert regions, but can be carried long distances to impact regions much further away.

Dust particles, circulated by SDS, provide nutrients to marine ecosystems, but can also contribute to coral mortality and hurricane formation.

SDS can cause respiratory diseases, heart disorders, and eye and skin irritation and can also spread other diseases, such as meningitis.

Aviation and ground transportation can be disrupted by SDS.

Agricultural practices and productivity can be impacted by SDS, which can also contribute to desertification processes.

Sustainable water and land management practices can decrease the impacts of SDS.

Source: UN Environment Management Group

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Understanding the Dust Cycle Processes.

Emission processes are affected by several soil features such as soil moisture, soil texture, surface crust, roughness elements and vegetation. Once strong winds emit dust particles, fine dust particles are carried by turbulent diffusion and convection to higher tropospheric levels and then large-scale winds can transport them over long distances. Dust particles in the atmosphere scatter and absorb solar radiation and modify clouds and their radiative and precipitation processes.

Click on the image for a larger view of the infographic. More information is available in the Summary for Decision Makers paper.

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How to assess and address the risks posed by sand and dust storms and plan actions to combat sand and dust storms?

The aim of the Sand and Dust Storms Compendium is to provide information and guidance on how to assess and address the risks posed by sand and dust storms and plan actions to combat sand and dust storms. The Compendium brings together this information from a wide range of sources.

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Protecting People from Sand and Dust Storms (WMO).

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) informational video on Sand and Dust Storms and their effects on health.

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Raise global awareness of the growing health and environmental challenges posed by Sand and Dust Storms.

On 12 July, the world commemorates the first International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS), which aims to raise global awareness of the growing health and environmental challenges posed by SDS.

The commemoration follows a resolution adopted by the General Assembly on June 8, 2023. Events are held around the world to highlight the urgency of this environmental crisis, largely caused by human-induced climate change, desertification, land degradation and drought.

The “Commemoration of the International Day of Combatting Sand and Dust Storms” event, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Senegal at the United Nations in New York, features various speakers from organizations collaborating in the UN SDS Coalition. At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) hosts a series of regional webinars bringing together stakeholders from different regions.

The UNCCD will launch the SDS toolbox on this day.

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Sand and dust storms and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sand and dust storms (SDS) present a formidable and wide-spread challenge to achieving sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions. They have become a serious global concern in recent decades due to their significant impacts on the environment, health, agriculture, livelihoods, and socio-economic well-being. Sand and dust storms are an essential element of the Earth’s natural bio-chemical cycles, but are also caused in part by human-induced drivers, including climate change, and unsustainable land management and water use. In turn, sand and dust storms contribute to climate change and air pollution. Sand and dust storms’ impacts are felt in all regions of the world, both in developed and developing countries, and pose severe challenges to achieving 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, especially:

SDG-2 — Goal 2: Zero hunger

SDG-3 — Goal 3: Health

SDG-6 — Goal 6: Water and sanitation

SDG-8 — Goal 8: Economic growth

SDG-11 — Goal 11: Cities

SDG-13 — Goal 13: Climate action, and

SDG-15 — Goal 15: Biodiversity forests and desertification.

At least 25 % of global dust emissions originate from human activities, and in some areas, desert dust has doubled in the 20th century. The impact of this phenomena is difficult to control, as human activity in one part of the world can cause sand and dust storms in another region. However, just as sand and dust storms are caused by human activities, these storms can also be reduced through human actions.

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Develop Resilient action to combat and reduce sand and dust storms.

The United Nations General Assembly, furthermore, stressed the need for cooperation at the global and regional levels, with a view to preventing, managing and mitigating the effects of sand and dust storms through the enhancement of early warning systems and the sharing of climate and weather information to forecast sand and dust storms. The General Assembly affirmed that resilient action to combat and reduce sand and dust storms requires a better understanding of the severe multidimensional impacts of sand and dust storms, including the deterioration of the health, well-being and livelihood of people, increased desertification and land degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity and land productivity, threatening food security, and their impact on sustainable economic growth.

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The United Nations issues global alert to combat severe sand and dust storms.

Severe sand and dust storms (SDS) are becoming increasingly common, with UN climate experts attributing the rise to human-driven causes such as climate change and unsustainable farming practices. To combat this, the UN has designated 12 July its first-ever International Day of Combatting Sand and Dust Storms.

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Proclamation of July 12th as International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

The Resolution A/RES/77/294 recognize that sand and dust storms and their negative impacts at different scales are issues of international concern, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 12 July as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

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Drought risk management and mitigation strategy 2022-2032.

The incidence and intensity of droughts is expected to increase in Southern Africa over the coming years. In order to mitigate these trends, the region has developed the SADC…

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Experts meet to discuss solutions for Central Asia.

The final conference on the results of a Joint initiative to develop regional strategies to combat drought, sand and dust storms (SDS) in Central Asia took place on 21 October. Representatives of the UNCCD Secretariat, national institutions and CAREC, government representatives, experts, as well as regional and international partners gathered to discuss joint strategies for drought and SDS management. 

The drought that gripped the Central Asian countries last summer resulted in massive losses of livestock and crops, affecting local communities and economies. The risk of drought in the region is of particular concern because of its dependence on agriculture and shared water resources. Studies also show that global dust emissions have increased by 25-50 per cent since 1900 as a result of land use and climate change. 

"The strategies presented today advance the agenda on drought and SDS, consolidating common concerns and priorities. Since prolonged drought often triggers sand and dust storms, the SDS mitigation requires drought-smart solutions," said UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Tina Birmpili. 

The conference participants emphasized that achieving a neutral balance of land degradation to slow down desertification, land degradation and drought is an integral part of the initiative. To date, five Central Asian countries have joined the UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality programme, striving to reach no net loss of healthy and productive land.

At the end of the conference, the Central Asian countries reaffirmed their commitment to address drought and SDS and called on the international community to support the implementation of the proposed strategies. The outcomes of the initiative will be presented at the upcoming UNCCD COP 15 in May 2022.

DROUGHT, SAND & DUST STORMS.