United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCCD)

United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCCD)

A meeting (conference) held in Nairobi, Kenya on 29 August-9 September 1977 with the participation of 94 country representatives, to discuss and assess the situation and problems related to desertification and to identify measures to increase cooperation and effectiveness in the fight against desertification. Among the important outcomes of the conference is the adoption of the definition of desertification based on biological efficiency criteria and the report developed on the preparation of a comprehensive Action Plan to Combat Desertification (ÇMEP).

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a legally binding international agreement established to address the challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). It was adopted in 1994 and came into force in 1996, making it the sole global framework dedicated to sustainable land management. The UNCCD focuses on promoting sustainable land use practices to ensure that ecosystems remain productive and resilient.

Key Objectives of the UNCCD

1. 
   Combat Desertification and Land Degradation:Prevent and reverse land degradation, especially in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas.
2. Mitigate the Effects of Drought:Improve preparedness for and resilience to drought impacts.
3. Promote Sustainable Land Management (SLM):Enhance agricultural productivity while preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.
4. Support Livelihoods of Affected Communities:Ensure food security, reduce poverty, and strengthen the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
5. Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN):Restore degraded lands to achieve a balance between land degradation and land restoration by 2030.

Key Themes and Principles

1. People-Centered Approach:Focus on empowering communities, particularly smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, and women.
2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):Directly linked to SDG 15 (Life on Land), particularly target 15.3, which aims to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.
3. Scientific Research and Technology:Promote the use of scientific research, traditional knowledge, and innovative technologies to combat desertification.
4. Partnerships:Collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and international organizations.

Causes of Desertification Addressed by the UNCCD

• Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Overgrazing, monocropping, and poor irrigation practices.
• Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, and urban expansion.
• Climate Change: Intensifying droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, and temperature increases.
• Overexploitation of Natural Resources: Mining, excessive water extraction, and soil nutrient depletion.
• Urbanization: Converting fertile land into built environments.

Major Initiatives under the UNCCD

1. Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Program:Encourages countries to set voluntary LDN targets and implement policies to achieve sustainable land management by 2030.

2. The Great Green Wall Initiative:A flagship African project supported by the UNCCD to create a 8,000-km wall of vegetation across the Sahel region to combat desertification and improve livelihoods.

3. Drought Initiative:Focuses on building drought resilience and developing national drought management policies.

4. Sustainable Land Management (SLM):Encourages techniques such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and water harvesting to protect land resources.

5. Capacity Building Marketplace:Provides knowledge-sharing and capacity-building tools for individuals, organizations, and countries involved in combating desertification.

Structure of the UNCCD

1. Conference of the Parties (COP):
   • The main decision-making body that meets every two years to assess progress and set policy directions.
   • Composed of 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union.
2. Committee on Science and Technology (CST):Provides scientific advice and technical support to guide policy decisions.
3. Global Mechanism (GM):Supports the mobilization of financial resources for implementing the convention’s objectives.
4. Regional Implementation:Divided into five regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, and Western countries.

Key Achievements of the UNCCD

1. Global Awareness:Raised international attention to the urgent need for sustainable land management and combating desertification.
2. LDN Targets:Over 129 countries have committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality.
3. Support for Local Communities:Empowered vulnerable populations in arid regions to adopt sustainable practices.
4. Policy Frameworks:Developed actionable policies and partnerships to combat desertification globally.

Challenges Faced by the UNCCD

• Climate Change Impacts: Rising global temperatures and extreme weather events exacerbate land degradation.
• Funding Gaps: Many affected countries lack sufficient financial resources to implement large-scale projects.
• Political and Institutional Barriers: Limited coordination between governments and stakeholders can hinder effective implementation.
• Lack of Awareness: Inadequate public understanding of desertification’s long-term consequences.

UNCCD’s Role in the Future

• Strengthening global resilience to drought and land degradation.
• Expanding the Great Green Wall to restore millions of hectares of degraded land.
• Promoting innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds to support sustainable land use.
• Facilitating international cooperation to achieve SDG 15 and other related goals.