February 2014: The Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has invited nominations for its Science-Policy Interface (SPI). Nominations are requested by 6 April 2014.

The eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the UNCCD adopted a decision calling for the establishment of the SPI, in September 2013. The SPI will seek to “facilitate a two-way science-policy dialogue and ensure the delivery of policy-relevant information, knowledge and advice on desertification/land degradation and drought (DLDD).”

The SPI is expected to include globally renowned DLDD and political scientists who will “identify the needs for scientific knowledge, explore mechanisms for addressing them and present findings to policymakers in a language that can be used to mold effective and sustainable land use policies to secure land productivity.” The Terms of Reference for the SPI, as adopted by the Bureau of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) in February 2014, call for the SPI to include 20 members and 3 observers, from the following groups: members of the Bureau of the CST; five scientists, one nominated by each region; ten scientists selected by the Bureau of the CST through an open call taking into account regional and disciplinary balance; and three observers, one from a civil society organization, one from an international organization and one from a relevant UN organization.

The SPI is expected to be functional by its first meeting, in June 2014.

The official language of the SPI is English. Additional information on requirements and application procedures can be found on the UNCCD website. [Call for Applications][UNCCD News Release on Call for Applications][SPI Terms of Reference]