The UN Convention to Combat Desertification

Desertification first attracted political attention in the 1970s, and remains important today, particularly for developing countries. This policy brief explores the world's response — the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) — considering why, on its tenth anniversary, debate over desertification persists. The brief describes how and why the convention started, what it is, its aims and how it operates, including its finances. The text then examines the role of science and reflects upon the convention's successes and limitations. 
Finally, the brief looks beyond the convention, and at its possible future. Whether or not a convention is still the best approach to tackle poverty and environmental problems in drylands, political commitment and financial resources remain vital to success.
Lindsay C. Stringer is a research fellow at the Institute for Development Policy and Management, part of the School of Environment and Development at the University of Manchester. She has been a consultant to the UNCCD Secretariat.