World Day to Combat Desertification

June 17, 2009

Today marks the United Nation's World Day to Combat Desertification. Those living in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of land desertification. Drought makes farming and forest conservation practices especially difficult. This results in the scarcity of food and water and ultimately loss of income, which only perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

Through its international assistance efforts, Canada continues to play an active role in addressing the burden of land desertification in developing countries. It is especially important, given the economic crisis, that donors ensure a coordinated approach to tackling this challenge.

In Canada, the federal government works with the provincial and territorial governments to collect data on its dry land areas and make policy decisions that promote conservation of land and water. Canada is recognized as a global leader in zero-tillage agricultural programs.

Our experience and success in Canada supports our international efforts. Canada has funded water projects worldwide for several decades. Each year, the Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), invests in water projects in developing countries, including Afghanistan, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia and a number of African countries. CIDA also supports a variety of community-based initiatives, ranging from environmental monitoring to tree planting, improved tillage and grazing practices, and sustainable irrigation.

Poverty reduction and food security are priorities for this government. By helping affected communities fight land degradation through technical assistance, training, and investments in equipment, we can help developing countries maintain sustainable agricultural development, which will help promote economic growth.

Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation