United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Overview

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international environmental agreement signed in Paris on June 17, 1994, with the aim of preventing and mitigating desertification and land degradation. The convention is also known as the Desert Convention or UNCCD.

History

The UNCCD was adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP), which is the supreme governing body of the Convention. It entered into force on December 26, 1996. The signing opened on October 24, 1994.

Purpose and Objectives

The convention is based on principles of partnership, participation, and decentralization—the backbone of good governance and sustainable development. Its primary objective is to address the problem of desertification through a global instrument that has mandatory legal status.

Membership

As of [current date], the UNCCD has 194 member countries, making it a global convention. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is the only global convention that can be assigned to the cluster of land conventions according to the classification of the United Nations.

Implementation and Effectiveness

To promote the convention, "International Year of Desertification and Drought" was announced in 2006. However, discussions arose about its effectiveness at the practical level. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is responsible for implementing the Convention's objectives through a series of meetings and decisions.

Key Dates

* June 17, 1994: Adoption by the Conference of the Parties
* October 24, 1994: Signing opened
* December 26, 1996: Entered into force