Grasslands in the Fight Against Desertification: Recognize, Respect and Restore 

On Wednesday, June 17, the Directorate General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification of Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), with the cooperation of the Biodiversity Foundation, is organizing this event at Casa Árabe to celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. 

This year, 2026, coincides with the International Year of Grasslands and Pastoralists. Its purpose is to draw attention to the need to recognize and appreciate grasslands because of the essential roles they play in the fight against desertification, to respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them down the generations, and to restore degraded landscapes and ensure livelihoods and ecosystem services.  

The goal of this conference is to highlight the ecological and socioeconomic value of grasslands, their importance in the fight against desertification, the essential work carried out by herders to maintain the health and productivity of these ecosystems, and to share restoration and governance initiatives with a positive impact on the region.  

The event will be taking place this Wednesday, June 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Casa Árabe headquarters in Madrid (at Calle Alcalá, 62).

Program and registration

Further information