Prof. Dr. Yusuf Demir, Head of the Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Agriculture, stated, “According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, it is expected that 135 million people worldwide will be displaced due to this process by 2030.”
Demir stated that due to drought and climate change, nearly one billion people may be forced to migrate by 2050.
In his written statement for June 17, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Demir recalled that the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, adopted in Paris on June 17, 1994, and enacted in 1996, was signed by Türkiye in 1998, marking a turning point in the fight against desertification.
Demir emphasized that drought, climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, intensive agricultural practices, and poor water management have become a global crisis affecting more than 165 countries, including Türkiye. He also pointed out that drought brings with it the emergence of various diseases.
Underlining that the effects of climate change are growing day by day, Demir continued:
“Due to climate change, desertification, and drought, two billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. In many parts of the world, people cannot meet their basic water needs, which leads entire communities to migrate from their increasingly arid and barren lands. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, this process is expected to cause the migration of 135 million people globally by 2030. If this trend continues, it is inevitable that by 2050, more than three billion people will face similar challenges, with nearly one billion people forced to migrate. The indicators pointing to growing water crises and water scarcity in our world are increasing with each passing day.”
Demir noted that drought is intensifying from south to north across Türkiye and emphasized that last year was marked by extreme weather events, while this year also holds a high probability of a hot and dry period.
Stating that the use and conservation of existing water resources has become more crucial than ever, Demir added:
“For our country, which is an agricultural nation, the risk of drought and desertification is becoming an increasingly serious problem. The support and importance given to agriculture must be increased; the protection of agricultural land and systematic efforts against desertification must be prioritized. Activities and initiatives in this area should be encouraged. Raising awareness among all citizens in this struggle is also critically important. Our country, surrounded by seas on three sides and possessing diverse regional features, should not be destined to face drought and desertification. The future of our country lies in agriculture and agriculture-based industry.”
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