Land degradation and drought are not just environmental challenges – they can also fuel displacement, migration and conflicts over resources, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Yasmine Fouad said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG).

Fouad stressed that investing in land restoration and drought resilience is ultimately an investment in peace, stability and security. She also highlighted the economic benefits of land restoration, noting that every dollar invested can generate multiple dollars in returns, and called for greater private-sector participation.