13 January 2012: The Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has invited representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) accredited to the UNCCD to nominate a representative to serve on the Intersessional Working Group (IWG) for the mid-term evaluation of the Strategy.

The IWG is expected to consist of 14 members: the President of the Conference of the Parties (COP); the chairpersons of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) and of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST); two members from each of five regional groups; and one CSO representative. Nominations for the CSO representative are requested by 30 January 2012, with the selection expected to be announced on 1 February. [UNCCD Notification]