National drought planning is a cornerstone of building resilience to increasingly frequent and severe droughts. Globally, there has been a shift from reactive crisis response to proactive, risk-based
resilience building, supported by UNCCD and partner organizations. While these efforts have improved guidance and standardization, the strength and usability of national drought plans vary widely, with some far more actionable and institutionally embedded than others. This session will draw on insights from dozens of national drought plans to highlight what makes plans effective, actionable, and implementable. It will also explore how plans can be strengthened and better integrated into broader policy frameworks, particularly across the Rio Conventions, to support climate adaptation, biodiversity, and land restoration goals.