United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
 in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought
 and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
(Paris, 14 October 1994) 

OBJECTIVES

        The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is a major achievement of the international community. Stemming from the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the Convention is an innovative document, which breaks new ground in international environmental law.
        The Convention describes its objective as "[t]o 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 which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas". Furthermore, the Convention adds that "[a]chieving this objective will involve long‑term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously, in affected areas, on improved  productivity of  the land and  the  rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved  living conditions, in particular, at the community level."


KEY PROVISIONS

        Both affected and developed Contracting Parties undertake comprehensive sets of obligations under the Convention. In accordance with the Convention, all Contracting Parties have an obligation to adopt an integrated approach addressing the physical, biological and socio‑economic aspects of desertification and drought. In addition, affected Contracting Parties undertake to give priority to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought by establishing strategies and priorities within the framework of sustainable development plans and policies. In turn, Contracting Parties from developed countries commit themselves to active support by providing substantial financial resources and other forms of assistance, individually or jointly, to the efforts of affected developing Contracting Parties.
        The Convention is to be implemented through National Action Programmes supplemented by such programmes at regional and sub‑regional levels.  National Action Programmes form the very core of the Convention. The Contracting Parties should implement the Convention, taking into account the participation of populations and local communities in a spirit of partnership and international cooperation.
        The Conference of the Parties (COP) is established as the supreme body of the Convention, whose main task is to make the decisions necessary to promote effective implementation of the Convention. The Convention also establishes a Permanent Secretariat which will, among other duties, make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, and compile and transmit reports submitted to it. Scientific and technological information and advice will be provided by a Committee on Science and Technology.
        Africa is given priority and particular attention throughout the Convention and the first of the four Regional Implementation Annexes, which form an integral part of the Convention, is devoted to the continent. There are three further Regional Implementation Annexes to the Convention (Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Northern Mediterranean) to provide guidelines and arrangements for the effective implementation of the Convention. All of the Annexes provide for action programmes to be part and parcel of their policies for sustainable development. 


Entry into Force

        The Convention entered into force on 26 December 1996.


How to Become a Party

        The Convention is closed for signature. It remains open for ratification, acceptance, approval and accession by States and by regional economic integration organizations.


Optional and/or Mandatory Declarations

        A Party which is not a regional economic integration organization may declare that it recognizes arbitration in accordance with procedures adopted by the Conferences of the Parties and/or submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice as compulsory means of settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation and the application of the Convention. A Party which is a regional economic integration organization may make a declaration with like effect in relation to arbitration in accordance with procedures adopted by the Conferences of the Parties.
        A regional economic integration organization shall declare the extent of its competence with respect to matters governed by the Convention.
        Any Party may declare that, with respect to it, any additional regional implementation annex or any amendment to any regional implementation annex shall enter into force only upon the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect thereto.


Reservations

        No reservations may be made to the Convention.


WITHDRAWAL/DENUNCIATION

        At any time after three years from the date on which the Convention has entered into force for a Party, that Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification to the depositary. 
        Any such withdrawal shall take effect upon expiry of one year from the date of receipt by the depositary of the notification of withdrawal, or on such later date as may be specified in the notification of withdrawal. 


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