The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed worldwide on 17 June every year. The focus in 2015 was the attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems. This theme brought together two sustainable development goals, namely to end hunger and achieve food security (goal 2) and to protect terrestrial ecosystems (goal 15), which are very relevant for the Arab region; a dryland region facing mounting challenges, including food insecurity and the degradation of the natural resource base, notably soils.