World Drought Atlas Launched: A Wake-Up Call for Global Drought Resilience

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) and partners – CIMA Research Foundation, United Nations University, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – has officially launched the World Drought Atlas at COP16 in Riyadh.

This Atlas highlights the systemic risks of drought across critical sectors like energy, agriculture, river transport, and trade. Through maps, infographics, and case studies, it illustrates how drought exacerbates inequality, public health crises, and even conflict, emphasizing that no region or country is immune – drought knows no borders.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, underlined the urgency: “Droughts and water scarcity are a dire reality in Europe and worldwide. Combatting drought requires proactively managing risks and a coordinated global approach. The World Drought Atlas provides the data we need to find solutions.”

The Joint Research Centre continues to provide scientific leadership, producing real-time drought information via the European and Global Drought Observatories (part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service).

The World Drought Atlas serves as a wake-up call to decision-makers globally, providing the necessary tools to drive resilience and cooperation against growing drought risks.

Full Global Drought Atlas available here.