防治荒漠化和干旱世界日致辞

　　荒漠化和土地退化使三分之一的地球表面受到影响，并对多达10亿人的生计、福祉和发展构成威胁。在长期干旱、饥荒和日益深化的贫穷面前，许多人唯有一种选择：逃离家园。据估计，环境问题造成的移民人数已达到2 400万人。到2050年，这个数字可能增至2亿。
　　今年防治荒漠化和干旱世界日纪念活动着重强调，荒漠化对国家和区域稳定构成的威胁日益严重。在过去40年里，世界上近三分之一的农田已经荒芜，被人遗弃。近四分之三的草地呈现不同程度的荒漠化。气候变化是一个肇因，但并非是唯一的肇因。我们尤其必须重新审视我们的农业作法以及水资源管理方式。农业和畜牧业占用70%的淡水使用量，并造成80%的森林砍伐。对用作动物饲料和生物燃料的农作物的需求日益增长，如不进行可持续管理，这将给这些稀有资源带来进一步压力。
　　全球目前的消费模式和生产模式不可持续。所带来的后果包括：更多的全球粮食危机(例如2008年发生的粮食危机)、荒漠化持续、土地退化和长期干旱。通常，穷人是最先深受其害、也是最后摆脱危机的人。
　　最近结束的可持续发展委员会第十七届会议强调指出，荒漠化和土地退化是全球性问题，必须对此采取全球性对策。今年12月，世界各国领导人将在哥本哈根举行会议，就气候变化问题达成协议，届时可以提出这一对策。全面、公平的放缓全球变暖协议，还必须协助发展中国家适应业已产生的影响。协议尤其必须提供充足、可预测的融资，为改善土地管理、提高用水效率和可持续农业提供支助。
值此防治荒漠化和干旱世界日之际，我们应认识到放任荒漠化问题加剧带来的安全威胁。我们还应认识到，通过遏制气候变化，我们可以为扭转荒漠化趋势、提高农业生产力、减缓贫穷和加强全球安全助一臂之力。

Secretary-General's message on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Desertification and land degradation affect one third of the Earth's surface, threatening the livelihoods, well-being and development of as many as 1 billion people. Faced with long periods of drought, famine and deepening poverty, many have only one option: flight from the land. There are already an estimated 24 million environmentally induced migrants. That number could rise to 200 million by 2050.
This year's observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought highlights the growing threat to national and regional stability posed by desertification. Nearly one-third of the world's cropland has become unproductive and been abandoned in the past 40 years. Almost three-quarters of rangelands show various symptoms of desertification. Climate change is a contributing factor, but not the only one. In particular, we must reconsider our agricultural practices and how we manage our water resources. Agriculture and the raising of livestock account for 70 per cent of freshwater use and as much as 80 per cent of deforestation. Growing demand for crops for animal feed and biofuels will put further pressure on these scarce resources if not managed sustainably.
Current global consumption and production patterns are unsustainable. The consequences will include further global food crises, such as we saw in 2008, and continued desertification, land degradation and periods of drought. As usual, the poor will be the first victims and the last to recover.
The recently concluded seventeenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development stressed that desertification and land degradation are global problems that require a global response. In December, world leaders can provide such a response when they meet in Copenhagen to seal a deal on climate change. A comprehensive and equitable agreement to slow down global warming must also help developing countries to adapt to the impacts that are already under way. In particular, it must provide adequate and predictable financing to support improved land management, more efficient water use and sustainable agriculture.
On this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, let us recognize the security risks of letting desertification advance unchecked. Let us also recognize that by combating climate change we can help to reverse desertification, increase agricultural productivity, alleviate poverty and enhance global security.