The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) came into force over 25 years ago and is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. It thus provides a global framework to prevent and reverse desertification and land degradation.
The UN Environment Programme supports the UNCCD framework by helping countries meet their obligations under the convention. This includes:
- Development of national and regional strategies
- Supporting public awareness raising
- Capacity building and information gathering
UNEP has continued to work in partnership with the GEF (the designated financial mechanism for the UNCCD) to support and deliver innovative, scalable projects demonstrating how the restoration of degraded lands and sustainable land management can lead to benefits for the environment, benefits for communities and benefits for countries.
For example, we have helped facilitate the portal of the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) to provide a consistent and accountable methodology for countries to report back to the convention.
UNEP in partnership with the GEF remains committed to creating an enabling policy environment for tackling the scourge of land degradation and desertification.
