With millions of hectares of land  around the world getting lost due to  deterioration and degradation, the United Nations General Assembly declared the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification, which runs from January 2010 to December 2020 to promote action that will protect the drylands. The Decade is an opportunity to make critical changes to secure the long-term ability of drylands to provide value for humanity's wellbeing.

Thus 17^th June , which is celebrated as the World Day to Combat Desertification , is a reiteration every year within this decade of the progress made to save our lands from degradation.

Exactly one year ago , I was in Rio de Janeiro , where at a glittering ceremony at the United Nations Rio+20 summit I received my global award from the Head of UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) for my project essay on stopping desertification.

Report in United Nations media :

http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/06/at-rio20-dubai-girl-calls-on-youth-to-bring-about-the-future-we-want/

A day earlier I was the only child at Rio+20 to address a press conference where I shared my views on stopping land degaradation and pledged to carry on this work.

Youtube video of press conference : http://youtu.be/NmEoQT0zE_Q

 The theme we are campaigning for is  ?Lets go land degradation neutral ? and through Green Hope UAE we have been working to carry forward this campaign involving children and youth for the last one year since my return from Rio+20.