Cuba Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Desertification and Drought

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reaffirmed his country’s commitment to soil protection, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture, in observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated today.

On his official X account, the Foreign Minister noted that 40 percent of the Earth’s land surface is degraded due to irrational and unsustainable levels of production and consumption.

Experts point out that desertification results from the continuous degradation of soil, caused by deforestation, salinization, water scarcity, and the overexploitation of aquifers—factors typically driven by excessive human economic activity.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated this date to promote public awareness of the environmental challenges posed by desertification and drought, and to encourage global action to address their devastating impacts.