2 April 2012: Following on the decision taken at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the UNCCD Executive Secretary and the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the modalities and administrative operations of the Global Mechanism (GM).

The first UNCCD COP, in 1997, selected IFAD as the host for the GM, and an MOU regarding the modalities and administrative arrangements for the GM was subsequently signed in 1999. Through the 1999 MOU, IFAD has performed services on behalf of the COP, including engaging staff and consultants and administering the accounts and financial resources of the GM.

The 2 April 2012 amendment to this MOU is based on the COP’s instructions to limit IFAD’s role to logistical and administrative support, and privileges and immunities to the GM staff through the Government of Italy. The revised MOU transfers the accountability and legal representation of the GM from IFAD to the UNCCD Secretariat. The UNCCD Executive Secretary assumes overall management responsibility, including coordinating and reporting on GM activities to the COP.

The amendment indicates that IFAD will not be a party to employment contracts, and the appointment of the GM Managing Director will be done through a recruitment process of the UN by the Executive Secretary. [2012 Amendment to the MOU Between UNCCD and IFAD] [1999 MOU]