September 2013: In the lead up to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Secretariat has published an issue brief titled, ‘A Stronger UNCCD for a Land-Degradation Neutral World.’

In a forward to the issue brief, the Minister of the Korea Forest Service highlights that, through the Changwon Initiative, proposed by the Republic of Korea at COP 10, which convened in Changwon, Republic of Korea, the Korean Government has supported dialogues regarding the setting of targets on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD), including the informal Consultative Meeting on a Land-Degradation Neutral World, which met from 26-27 June 2013, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. He notes that participants at this event discussed ways to implement the call in the outcome document from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) on DLDD issues, and agreed that the UNCCD should explore a target-setting approach to measure the impact of policies and practices on the ground.

The issue brief outlines challenges, benefits and possible ways forward to achieve a land-degradation neutral world, as called for at Rio+20. Key messages include that: the Rio+20 vision of a land-degradation neutral world can provide a framework for integrated and lasting solutions to DLDD issues; the strategic objectives of the UNCCD’s 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention (2008–2018) provide a blueprint for action; the establishment and monitoring of the necessary level of ambition through an impact target-setting approach will keep this vision in focus, inspire action on the ground and help mobilize resources at a variety of scales; and the UNCCD’s work to develop an impact monitoring and reporting framework could be used for such purpose.

UNCCD COP 11 will convene in Windhoek, Namibia, from 16-27 September 2013. [Publication: A Stronger UNCCD for a Land-Degradation Neutral World]