May 4, 2012
- The Executive Summary of the brief indicates that the proposed "Zero Net Land Degradation" goal can be achieved when land degradation is either avoided or offset by land restoration, with related targets suggested as follows: zero net land degradation by 2030; zero net forest degradation by 2030; and drought preparedness policies implemented in all drought-prone countries by 2020.
May 3, 2012
- The UNCCD Secretariat is inviting submissions in the form of short video clips, pictures of field activities, and short articles. The best contributions from each region will be compiled and broadcast during the World Day to Combat Desertification, which will take place on 17 June, on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
April 26, 2012
- The UNCCD is calling for applications from African journalists specialized in the environment and who have already published articles on land degradation and desertification. The workshop will be held from 29-31 May 2012, in Algeria, and the working language will be French. Applications should be submitted by 3 May 2012.
April 20, 2012
- The call for experts to serve on the Ad Hoc Working Group follows from Decision 20/COP.10, in which the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) requested the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) “to plan both long-term and short-term measures to enable the UNCCD to provide scientific support in pursuit of operational objective 3 of the Strategy.”
April 12, 2012
- The 2 April 2012 amendment to the MOU is based on the COP's instructions to limit IFAD's role to logistical and administrative support, and priviledges and immunities to the GM staff through the Government of Italy. The revised MOU transfers the accountability and legal representation of the GM from IFAD to the UNCCD Secretariat.
March 30, 2012
- UNDP and UNCCD will collaborate in supporting affected countries to align their National Action Programmes (NAPs) with the 10-year Strategy of the UNCCD and in mainstreaming the Programmes in national and sectoral development planning. In addition, there will be, inter alia, joint efforts in undertaking knowledge sharing, and conducting policy analyses and advocacy, giving particular attention to the linkage between sustainable land management, climate change and biodiversity.
March 29, 2012
- The Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Luc Gnacadja, presented Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes, and Professor Jeffrey Sachs with certificates designating them UNCCD Drylands Ambassadors. Gnacadja and Lopes called on those that will attend the June 2012 Rio+20 event to agree on a target calling for zero net land degradation.
- The UNCCD survey solicited feedback on four options for organizing international, interdisciplinary scientific advice: use of existing scientific networks; establishment of a new scientific network focused on specific topics; use of existing intergovernmental scientific advisory mechanisms; and establishment of a new intergovernmental scientific panel on land and soil.
March 21, 2012
- A side-event organized by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), on the margins of the first round of “informal-informal” consultations on the zero draft of the Outcome Document for Rio+20, highlighted the importance of the Rio Conventions Pavilion as a mechanism for emphasizing synergies among the three Rio Conventions and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.
March 16, 2012
- The Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has launched a Finance Info Kit, which aims to provide insights into public institutions and funds as well as foundations and private sector initiatives investing in sustainable land management (SLM).