Key Messages:

• Droughts emerge from a combination of natural climate variability, anthropogenic climate change, and human mismanagement of water and land resources. It is not just the absence of rain, snow or soil moisture, droughts are intimately related to human actions. Sustainable consumption and production practices to protect and manage land are a critical component of drought management.
• Droughts affect human populations, multiple sectors, and ecosystems in a complex way and over different spatial and temporal scales. They affect almost every part of the globe and their impacts can cascade through interconnected systems to reach geographically distant areas. Addressing drought requires systemic solutions.
• Drought is a daunting challenge, as its effects on people’s lives and livelihoods and the ecosystems on which they depend are devastating. Through innovation, commitment and solidarity, drought risks can be successfully managed.
• Climate models project more frequent and severe droughts in the future, and evidence of their increasing impacts calls for immediate actions at all policy levels, international efforts and commitments.
• Investment is needed to fill the knowledge gaps and reduce uncertainties in droughts forecasting and risk assessment. Enhanced early warning systems are essential to reduce risks and achieve resilience.
• The complexity of drought risk demands cross-sectoral policies accounting for regional diversity, leveraging local knowledge and promoting communities' engagement. Unprecedented cooperation among sectors and countries is necessary to achieve drought resilience. Sharing knowledge, data, and best practices is essential. Key international and regional initiatives have been recently launched to support nations in the adoption of drought management and adaptation plans.
• To successfully manage drought risk, communities, regions and countries must adopt proactive and prospective approaches to drought risk management and adaptation. Preventive measures such as water management, early warning systems and innovative agricultural practices reduce drought impacts and human vulnerability. Combining effective mitigation practices and adaptation pathways can create synergies that support drought resilience.