Muscat: Represented by the Environment Authority, the Sultanate of Oman is joining the international community in celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The event falls on 17 June every year.
This year the event is celebrated under the slogan “Restore the Land, Unlock the Opportunities”.
As part of its participation in the event, Oman is contributing to global efforts to raise awareness of environmental challenges, encourage communities to adopt environment-friendly practices, promote local and international policies on protecting natural resources and enhance cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation.
The celebration highlights the role of ecosystem restoration in generating jobs, enhancing food and water security, supporting climate efforts and building sustainable economies.
The Environment Authority is implementing initiatives, projects and strategies to expand green cover, protect biodiversity and promote environmental sustainability. These include the "National Initiative to Plant 10 Million Trees". The initiative, launched on 8 January 2020, seeks to increase green spaces, combat desertification and restore degraded lands.
The Environment Authority is also implementing a project to plant one million mangrove seedlings, in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project aims to enhance marine diversity, absorb carbon dioxide and promote ecotourism.
