25 February 2011: The second special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST S-2) and the ninth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 9) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have concluded their reviews of intersessional work to follow-up on decisions related to impact and performance indicators.

The CST S-2 session, which took place from 16-18 February 2011, in Bonn, Germany, considered the status of work on methodologies and baselines for the effective use of the subset of impact indicators on strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the 10-year Strategic Plan and Framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention (the Strategy), along with: an assessment of the organization of the 1st Scientific Conference; preparations for the 2nd Scientific Conference; Science and Technology Correspondents (STCs); and progress made on the implementation of the knowledge-management system.

CRIC 9, which convened from 21-25 February at the same venue, considered: preliminary analyses of information contained in the national reports of parties, UN agencies and intergovernmental organizations, and civil society organizations (CSOs) on implementation of the Convention against performance indicators; best practices in the implementation of the Convention; and improving the procedures for communication of information as well as the quality and format of reports to be submitted to the Conference of the Parties (COP).

Delegates also engaged in an open dialogue with CSO representatives and an interactive thematic discussion on the outcome of the reporting process. Reports adopted by both bodies identified options and recommendations related to these agenda items, and will be forwarded to the tenth COP, which will convene in October 2011, in the Republic of Korea. [IISD RS Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage of CST S-2 and CRIC 9] [IISD RS Archives of Coverage of Desertification Meetings]