The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) is annually observed across the globe on July 12 to raise global awareness of the growing health and environmental challenges posed by SDS.
- The day highlights the significance of combating SDS for human health and well-being, promoting sustainable land and water management.
- July 12, 2025, marks the observance of the 3rd International Day of Combating SDS.
Background:
i.On June 8, 2023, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/77/294, proclaiming July 12 of every year as the International day for Combating Sand and Dust Storms.
- The first-ever International day for Combating Sand and Dust Storms was observed on 12 July 2023.
ii.Through the UN Coalition on Combating SDS, 20 UN agencies and non-UN organizations join efforts to foster global action against SDS.
SDS and its Impacts:
i.SDS is an ensemble of particles of dust or sand energetically lifted to great heights by a strong and turbulent wind.
ii.SDS are common meteorological hazards in arid and semi-arid regions that generate large amounts of airborne mineral dust particles.
iii.SDS are part of Earth’s natural cycles but are worsened by climate change and unsustainable land and water use. At least 25% of global dust emissions stem from human activities.
iv.The impacts of SDS are such as health deterioration, increased desertification and land degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity, threats to food security and sustainable economic growth.
UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms:
i.It was launched by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Parties at the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP 14) to the UNCCD held in India in 2019.
ii.It was launched to commit the UN system to a proactive approach to combat SDS, enhancing cooperation and coordination on SDS at global, regional, and sub-regional levels.
iii.The UN Coalition on Combating SDS is chaired by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).
UN Decade of Action (2025–2034):
The UNGA has officially declared 2025–2034 as the “United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS)”, marking a decade-long global commitment to tackle the rising threat of SDS through coordinated international action.
- This initiative reinforces the need for collective global efforts to address the growing challenges posed by SDS to health, agriculture, economies, and ecosystems.
Key Facts:
i.According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), sand and dust storms (SDS) now affect over 330 million people across more than 150 countries, posing serious risks to public health, the environment, and national economies.
ii.An estimated 2 billion tonnes(t) of dust are emitted into the atmosphere each year.
iii.More than 80% of this dust originates from deserts in North Africa and the Middle East, but is carried across continents by wind currents, affecting regions far beyond their source.
iv.The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region alone incurs annual damages worth USD 150 billion, due to disruptions in health systems, agriculture, transport, and productivity.
About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):
President – Philemon Yang
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1945
