United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international environmental agreement signed on 17 June 1994 and entered into force on 26 December 1996. The convention was established to prevent, halt and reverse desertification and land degradation occurring particularly in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. The UNCCD is one of the three principal environmental agreements developed under the Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Summit) and has 197 party states worldwide.

Objective and Scope

The primary objective of the UNCCD is to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of land degradation and desertification and to ensure the sustainable management of land resources. The convention facilitates the development of strategies at global, regional and national levels to prevent land degradation, promote sustainable land use and mitigate the effects of drought. In this context, preserving soil productivity, ensuring the continuity of biodiversity and reducing poverty are also among the convention’s priorities.

Areas of Work and Policies

The UNCCD focuses on three core areas of work: prevention of land degradation, combat against drought and sustainable land management. To achieve these goals, the convention requires party states to prepare and implement national action programmes. It is further supported by multi-stakeholder collaboration, financial mechanisms and capacity-building activities. The UNCCD adopts a comprehensive environmental management approach by integrating its efforts with other environmental frameworks such as climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

Scientific Foundations and Innovation

Scientific research plays a vital role in the implementation of the UNCCD. Policy recommendations are developed using up-to-date scientific data and technological advancements in the fields of land degradation and drought.

The convention’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI) shares scientific developments on land management with parties and supports decision-making processes. It also monitors degradation trends through land condition indicators and monitoring systems and develops early warning systems.

International Cooperation and Activities

The UNCCD strengthens regional and international cooperation by promoting information exchange among parties. The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) is regularly held, where parties review and update their policies and strategies. In addition, capacity-building workshops, educational programmes and public awareness activities are organized. Financial support from funds and partnerships with international organizations play a crucial role in the implementation of the convention.

Current Research and Strategic Approaches

In its current strategies, innovative approaches to preventing land degradation and promoting sustainable land use are prioritized. Nature-based solutions, land restoration, sustainable agriculture and water management techniques are widely encouraged. Moreover, the UNCCD develops policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributes to global efforts to combat climate change. Drought risk management and community resilience-building programmes are also key components of the convention.