In order to meet recommendations of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Brazil developed a National Program to Combat Desertification (PAN-Brazil). The Program sought to integrate governmental actions (both intra- and inter-governmental actions) with those of g[non-governmental organization]s.
For this purpose, an Inter-Ministerial Working Group was created with representatives of several Ministries of the Federal Government, representatives of State Government, and civil society organizations from the semi-arid region of the country. In order to bring the discussions on combating desertification to the affected region, to decentralize decisions, and to gather information that reflected the needs of the local populations, State Focal Points were designated to work with State and local governments and civil society. Their mission was to encourage discussions in their respective States; carry out diagnoses of the state of the region; together with the community, draft proposals to combat desertification in those areas considered a priority; and execute local projects, always seeking a cross-cutting approach among the institutional structures existing in the States.
The Program benefited significantly from the support given by the working groups that were created to support the work of PAN-Brazil. These include the establishment of the aforementioned Inter-Ministerial Working Group, a working group for civil society of the semi-arid region, and a Parliamentary Working Group (within the National Congress). These working groups were essential for integrating the legislative and executive branches as well as local civil society in the process of developing the PAN-Brazil. The benefits of the integration for developing the National Program have continued through today, as the main agencies responsible for regional development (ADEN, BNB, DENOCS, and CODEVASF) are supporting projects to combat desertification consistent with PAN-Brazil.
For more information, contact raquel.breda@mma.gov.br, maria-carolina.hazin@mma.gov.br, or larissa.godoy@mma.gov.br