24 June 2011: In preparation for the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 10), the International Symposium on Green Growth, Science and Technology and the Role of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to Address Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) convened in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on 23-24 June 2011.

Participants at the Symposium discussed the Republic of Korea’s contributions to the UNCCD, including the establishment of a Green Growth South-South partnership and the establishment of a DLDD Monitoring and Assessment Center. UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja addressed the Symposium, and noted that “Understanding the cost of inaction versus the cost and other socioeconomic benefits of action will be crucial in transcending the hurdles to DLDD mainstreaming.” He emphasized that the “next twelve months will provide major milestones and landmark opportunities for the international community to generate the required paradigm shift,” and in this regard called attention to: the High-level meeting on the eve of the general debate of the 66th session of the General Assembly, which will address DLDD in the context of poverty eradication and sustainable development; UNCCD COP 10, which will be held in Changwon, Republic of Korea, from 10-21 October 2011; and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

The Symposium also included an Expert Workshop, on 24 June, which discussed measures for scientific development of DLDD and DLDD mitigation. [Seoul National University Meeting Webpage] [UNCCD Executive Secretary’s Remarks]