2016-06-17 Fri

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every day on 17th June. This venture of United Nation initiated in the year of 1995 and has been observed annually with a different theme each year.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 the "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought". The main motto behind this venture was to promote public awareness of the issue.

This day is a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification can be effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, and that key tools to this aim lay in strengthened community participation and co-operation at all levels.

Since the year 1994, the day is celebrated particularly with a series of outreach activities worldwide. The global observance event on 17 June 2016 will be held in Beijing, China, hosted by the State Forestry Administration of China (SFA).

To show support to the venture many stamps have been specially issued on the theme of the year. For instance, Brazil issued a miniature sheet in the year of 1996 with a stamp of 1.23 Brazilian Real. The miniature sheet features the idea of reforestation.

On the other hand, Morocco also issued a stamp with the value of 6.50 Moroccan dirham; featuring scarce vegetation amidst an arid land.