UNCCD 2nd scientific conference: Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas
There is a widespread consensus that the pressing issues of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) are not yet properly included and addressed in today's political and private sector agendas on global, national and local levels. It is therefore of vital importance to raise awareness of the negative impacts that decisions regarding land management and ecosystem services can have, but also the opportunities they create to improve current land management practices towards more sustainability and increased resilience.
The specific thematic focus of the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference is put on the 'Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas', with a focus on two sub-topics: economic and social impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD); and costs and benefits of policies and practices addressing DLDD. Based on the February 2011 decision of the CST Bureau, the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos is the lead institution to organize the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference, under the guidance of the CST Bureau.
In order to achieve these goals two working groups have been formed to elaborate white papers on the identified conference theme. These papers will serve as scientific input to be discussed during the conference and they will also build the foundation of the State of the Art Report, one of the main conference outcomes.
The conference shall be structured around the two key- topics of the white papers:
- Economic and social impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought
- Costs and benefits of policies and practices addressing desertification, land degradation and drought
The conference will provide guidance to governments and non-governmental actors alike, on why they should and how they can, together, reverse current DLDD trends, support affected countries and communities to improve their land management practices and increase resilience.