Mission: UNCCD's mission is to provide a global framework to support the development and implementation of national and regional policies, programmes and measures to prevent, control and reverse desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought through scientific and technological excellence, raising public awareness, standard setting, advocacy and resource mobilization, thereby contributing to poverty reduction.
Description: The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas. The Convention’s parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought. The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. The UNCCD secretariat facilitates cooperation between developed and developing countries, particularly around knowledge and technology transfer for sustainable land management.
Water Activities: Given the increasing adverse impacts of droughts and water scarcity related disasters, the UNCCD has the mandate to enhance the development and strengthening of national drought policies in support of drought and water scarcity disaster prevention and response strategies. It is envisaged that the national drought policies will enhance solutions that encompass integrated drought and water scarcity risk management, preparedness, emergency relief, recovery and rehabilitation plans by fully taking into account water resources availability, ecosystems protection and restoration and sustainable integrated drought and water scarcity management.
UN-Water Focus Area(s) : capacity building, water scarcity, climate change and disaster risk management, Africa: a region for priority action
More information on water-related activities: here
Activity Region: arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas Regions: Africa (priority area), Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe
Procurement Information: here
UNCCD's Homepage: here