Aridity is a slow-moving but deeply disruptive climatic condition marked by long-term dryness that gradually erodes ecosystems and landscapes. Unlike sudden disasters such as floods or cyclones, aridity develops quietly—through declining rainfall, drying soils, shrinking rivers, and a steady loss of environmental resilience. Global data shows that more than 77% of Earth’s land became drier between 1991 and 2020, and drylands now cover over 40% of the planet. The number of people living in these drylands has doubled in the past 30 years to 2.3 billion and may reach 5 billion by 2100. Unlike temporary droughts, aridity reflects a permanent shift in water balance, making recovery far more difficult and increasing risks of land degradation, agricultural collapse, and social instability. Countries like Mongolia, China, and Iran are already facing severe impacts—from rapidly degrading rangelands to expanding dryland belts and shrinking wetlands that fuel dust storms and deepen rural hardship. Together, these trends show how aridity intensifies existing vulnerabilities and accelerates cycles of poverty and environmental decline.
Across the region, governments are responding with new strategies, many supported by UNDP. Mongolia is advancing community-led pasture management and large-scale tree planting to restore degraded rangelands. China is combining traditional knowledge with innovations such as drought-resistant vegetation to stabilize dunes and conserve water. Iran is working to restore wetlands and strengthen local governance to help communities adapt. Cross-border cooperation is also expanding, recognizing that problems like sand and dust storms do not respect national boundaries. A China–Mongolia centre for desertification control and Iran’s collaboration with Iraq and Afghanistan on shared wetlands reflect the growing momentum for regional solutions. Asia-Pacific countries are also engaging in broader initiatives aimed at supporting pastoralists, protecting drylands, and elevating the needs of the communities most affected.
Technology is reshaping the landscape of both risk and opportunity in managing aridity. The rapid expansion of data centres, driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing, is increasing water consumption in regions already grappling with scarcity. Global data centre water use stands at 560 billion liters annually and may double by 2030. At the same time, advanced technologies—such as AI-driven drought forecasting, real-time land degradation monitoring, and precision irrigation—are enabling countries to better anticipate and manage pressures. New predictive models can forecast sand and dust storms with over 80% accuracy, while precision agriculture is reducing water use by up to 30% and improving crop yields. The challenge ahead is ensuring that technological growth reduces stress on water systems instead of exacerbating it, especially in cities at risk of future shortages.
With Mongolia set to host UNCCD COP17 in 2026, the region has a critical opportunity to elevate aridity on the global agenda. The conference offers a platform for countries to share experiences, integrate aridity into national planning, and secure the partnerships and financing needed for early and coordinated action. For nations already grappling with advanced aridity, it provides space to scale successful approaches and strengthen cooperation on issues such as dust storm management, water governance, and land restoration. Addressing aridity ultimately requires shifting from reactive crisis response to proactive planning—anticipating changes in soils, groundwater, vegetation, and rainfall patterns before their impacts become irreversible. Early action, nature-based solutions, smarter technology use, and stronger regional cooperation will be essential to breaking the cycle of degradation. As aridity continues to cross borders, solutions must do the same.
