A Global Alliance

No country is immune to drought and its impacts on food, water, energy security, forced migration and natural resource conflicts. Europe, the western United States, Chile, Australia, and the Horn of Africa have all suffered extreme droughts in recent years.

UNCCD and International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) launch ‘Global Drought Snapshot’ report

Recent drought-related data based on research in the past two years and compiled by the UN point to an unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale, where the massive impacts of human-induced droughts are only starting to unfold.

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Impacts of Drought

These unprecedented droughts have far-reaching impacts on agriculture, energy, transportation, tourism, and human health.

$124 Billion loss

From 1998 to 2017, drought generated economic losses of about US$124 billion across the world, not to mention the cost in human suffering and lives.

World leaders recognize the need for a global collaborative platform.

Political engagement is at the highest level with a network of implementing partners to support countries and communities considering their different circumstances.

Responding to these needs, the International Drought Resilience Alliance was first announced by Spain at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022 and was officially launched at the UNFCCC COP27 in November 2022.

Interested members of the Alliance see the urgent need to pivot from emergency response to increasing drought resilience through a more coordinated and effective response.

Vietnam

Objective

The Alliance will function as a collaborative platform that catalyzes political momentum and mobilizes resources for targeted actions to enhance drought resilience in countries, cities, and communities, including to:

  • Generate political momentum

    We make drought resilience a global priority and for it to be mainstreamed in national development policies and donor relationships

  • Promote full engagement from stakeholders

    Including the private sector, for increasing drought resilience

  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and networking

    With other alliances and platforms to increase synergistic impacts that enhance drought resilience

  • Consolidate regional initiatives (programmes)

    That facilitate action, innovation, technology and knowledge transfers, and resource mobilization for drought resilience at different levels

Governance

The work of the Alliance will be guided by a steering committee with balanced regional representation and membership open to all Member States and their organs, UN entities and international organizations, scientific institutions, development banks and other financing mechanisms as well as non-state actors and civil society stakeholders.

IDRA Launch event on Nov 7, 2022 at COP27