Thank you, Madam Chair.

On behalf of the United States, I would like to extend our thanks to the facilitator for the successful shepherding of this resolution, and we are pleased to join consensus.

The United States supports the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in its global efforts to reduce land degradation, increase land restoration, and build resilience to drought. We are working with the UNCCD, allies, and partners to prevent desertification, engage in reforestation, and tackle soil erosion. 

This includes investment in organizations that deploy technologies to protect natural resources and increase access to the knowledge necessary to protect natural resources. We support land restoration efforts internationally through USAID and through multilateral funds like the Global Environment Facility. 

Through the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, PREPARE, the United States aims to help more than half a billion people in developing countries to adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, including drought, by 2030.

Regarding references to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we refer you to our general statement delivered on November 21.

Thank you.

Original source can be found here.