Thread by @OmayraIssa

At a press conference on the #GreatGreenWall in the #Sahel and #Sahara
Deputy Secretary-General of the @UN @AminaJMohammed says it is vital to complete the wall. "The #GreatGreenWall provides solutions to properly respond and recover from the current challenges."

The #GreatGreenWall is meant to tackle climate change, land degradation, and loss of biodiversity in the #Sahel and #Sahara from Senegal to Djibouti. 65% of African land is currently degraded. #ClimateChange #desertification

Close to 18 million hectares of land have been restored by the #GreatGreenWall. The target is 100 million hectares by 2030. In an update today, @UNCCD says 8,2 million hectares & $4.3 billion are needed to reach the goal.

Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly in the Sahel and the Sahara.

@AminaJMohammed : "we need to find the islands of stability in the #Sahel and invest." Climate change exacerbates insecurity in the region. She calls on more investment in the #GreatGreenWall. @UNCCD

@UNCCD #LandAmbassador @baabamaal : "The Great Green Wall can bring dignity to the people of the #Sahel where I am from."

Why is this important for us here? Canada is engaged in the Sahel. In June, Canada joined the International Coalition for the Sahel. The Sahel region of West Africa is a frontier of global security.

On #COVID19 and climate change. In the Sahel, #COVID19 impacted the building of the #GreatGreenWall. The region has some of the most vulnerable populations to climate shocks in the world. Women and youth bear the burden of climate change & the political instability it creates.

All this to say, I want to read a think piece on climate change, COVID-19, security & gender in the #Sahel. Maybe I should write it.