ENB @ UNCCD COP-7 October 17-28 2005, Nairobi, Kenya

7th Session of the Conference of the Parties
to the United Nations Convention
to Combat Desertification

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Highlights for Thursday, 20 October 2005

Delegates met in the seventh session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) to discuss: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; liaison with international organizations and the scientific community; future programme of work; creation of ad hoc panels of experts; and other matters. Consultations in contact groups continued. The contact group created by the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention considered draft decisions on: strengthening the Convention implementation process in Africa; consideration of necessary adjustments to the elaboration process and the implementation of action programmes; improving the procedure for communication of information and the quality and format of reports to COP; and mobilization of resources for the implementation of the Convention. The contact group on the programme and budget convened throughout the day to continue their discussions on the budget. Deliberations continued in the contact group on regional coordination units (RCUs).

Above photo L-R: Bongani Masuku (Swaziland) in discussion with Sem Shikongo (Namibia) and Elise Haber (South Africa) during an evening session of a drafting group.

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Above photos L-R: Ndegwa Ndiang'ui being consulted by CST Chair Viorel Blujdea ( Romania ); Zafar Adeel and Uriel Safriel, contributing authors of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, presented the report entitled “Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Desertification Synthesis”, describing: causes of desertification; the linkages between desertification, climate change and biodiversity loss.



MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT: NORWAY said that the CCD could benefit from the Assessment, especially regarding indicators and benchmarks. Above photo: Gunn Paulsen (Norway)	FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE CST: CUBA suggested adding the vulnerability of small island developing states. Above photo: María Nery Urquiza (Cuba)	CREATION OF AD HOC PANELS OF EXPERTS: ARGENTINA, on behalf of G-77/CHINA, said that the CST should have sufficient means to finance the panels of experts, and the panels should not replace the Roster of Independent Experts, rather should complement their work. Above photo: Elena Abraham (Argentina)

CONTACT GROUPS:

PROGRAMME AND BUDGET:

Above photos: The contact group on the programme and budget, chaired by Gerardo Guiza ( Mexico ) (left), met throughout the day; view of the contact group session on programme and budget.

DRAFT DECISION FOR THE REVIEW OF THE CONVENTION:



Above photos: The contact group on the review of the implementation of the Convention, chaired by Ositadinma Anaedu ( Nigeria ) (left), met throughout the day. The group completed a first reading of four draft decisions and was able to consolidate much of the text, but several issues eluded consensus.

REGIONAL COORDINATION UNITS:



Debate centered on whether Decision 11 of COP-6 has implied COP’s creation/endorsement of RCUs, and whether COP-7 has the mandate to decide on RCUs. Above photos: Chair Mohammed Ismail (Tunisia) and view of the contact group session on RCU.