UNCCD’s Ibrahim Thiaw: Land, Power & the Race to Restore Our Future

In this episode, Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), discusses the
reality of land degradation—and the encouraging path to
restoration. Why does this matter? 40% of the world’s land is
already degraded, affecting nearly half of humanity. Every year, we
lose 100 million hectares—an area the size of Egypt. If we continue
like this, by 2050, we will have lost land the size of South
America. Land degradation isn’t just an environmental crisis—it
threatens food security, fuels migration, and drives conflict. So,
who is taking responsibility for restoring our planet’s most
valuable resource? But there is hope. From the Great Green Wall in
Africa to China’s Loess Plateau transformation, solutions exist—and
they are working. ️ What we discuss: ️ The real cost of land
degradation—and how 50% of global GDP depends on land and nature. ️
Who controls the land? The hidden power structures behind global
land ownership. ️ Proven solutions—from regenerative agriculture to
large-scale reforestation projects. ️ Success stories—including
Africa’s Great Green Wall and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. ️ The
impact of war on land—and how ecosystems in conflict zones can be
restored. This is more than an interview—it’s both a wake-up call
and a roadmap forward. The solutions are there.