27 February 2009: The Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting (IPM) for the 17th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD17) took place from 23-27 February 2009, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The IPM’s role was to provide a forum to discuss policy options and possible actions to enable the implementation of measures and policies concerning agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa – the thematic issues under consideration during the CSD16/CSD17 two-year “implementation cycle.”

The IPM discussed each thematic area and delegates proposed policy options and actions for adoption at CSD17. Delegates also considered inter-linkages, cross-cutting issues and means of implementation, as well as small island developing states.
The IPM’s deliberations were reflected in a Chair’s Negotiating Text that was distributed on the final afternoon of the meeting. The document was developed with the expectation that it could form the basis for further discussions and negotiations during CSD17, scheduled to convene from 4-15 May 2009, at the same venue. The section on inter-linkages, cross-cutting issues and means of implementation contains a section on climate change, which outlines the following possible actions: upscale and mainstream climate change adaptation measures in agricultural and rural development strategies; monitor and assess the impact of climate change on agriculture; support the development of improved and resilient crop varieties and soil management methods; and optimize agricultural practices to increase soil carbon content, including through the use of biochar. [IISDRS coverage of CSD17 IPM]