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UN Convention

Deserification is acknowledged as a global problem
After devastating droughts and a starvation crisis in Africa, especially in the Sahel Zone, the problems of increasing desertification was discussed for the first time at the Environmental Conference of the United Nations in Stockholm in 1972.

Formation of the UNCCD
At the Earth Summit in Rio 1992 it was decided to establish/negotiate an international environmental convention dealing with this topic. That is when the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was founded

UN-Building in New York

Goals and Core Elements of the UNCCD
The strategic approach of the UNCCD is to primarily fight the socio-economic causes of soil destruction and desertification. Reducing poverty and improving the economical living situation of the population in dry areas is regarded as an important factor.

But only little money is provided for the protection and amelioration of already degraded soils and landscapes.

Implementation of the UNCCD
The convention is mainly based on action plans, which were set up by the affected contracting countries as a basis for the own efforts in fighting desertification.

High demands with regard to program implementation
The organizations for public development cooperation have been given the task of integrating their support program into national and regional programs on a larger scale, thus increasing the efficiency of the applied resources. Not only does this approach require the readiness of all partners for an improved cooperation, but the capacity of institutions and personnel also has to be provided, so that the coordination can be carried out smoothly.

UNCCD: Final statement after 10 years
Most national action programs were either not or only half-heartedly implemented because of the lack of financial and political engagement.

Apart from these action programs there were and still are numerous quite successful projects. These projects were implemented especially by non-governmental organizations and within bilateral cooperations and in close partnership with the farmers.

The farmers as the actual “makers” when fighting desertification were often forgotten – too many coordination meetings, expert opinions, recommendations and reports. 

Challenge for the non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Whereas the structures of modern states still need to be established and qualified in many countries, there are already quite a few civil society organizations, especially in rural areas. It is therefore favorable to cooperate directly and unbureaucratically with the different farmer’s organizations regarding the protection and conservation of soil fertility and the amelioration of already degraded soils.

The NGOs are especially suited for initiating and financing the implementation of these measures or they can take over jobs as partners within a major program.

Farmers’ organizations with intact social structures are our strongest and most reliable partners for mutual actions.

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