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

 



     

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Highlights for Friday, 21 October 2005


The plenary convened in morning and afternoon sessions to consider: inclusion of activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within the COP’s official programme of work; report of the Committee of the Whole (COW); review of the implementation of the Convention and of its institutional arrangements; and report of the seventh session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST). COW met in the afternoon to review activities of the Secretariat and the progress made by affected countries parties in the implementation of the Convention and to adopt its report. CST met in the afternoon to adopt its report. Contact groups met throughout the day and into the evening to discuss the programme and budget, draft decisions for the review of the implementation of the Convention, and regional coordination units (RCUs).

Above photo: Anna Ballance (UK) (center) in consultation with members of the European Union (EU).



PLENARY:


Above photos: COP-7 Vice-President, Jozef Buys (Belgium) (left), chaired the open dialogue session and introduced the theme on crisis management and long-term adaptation through local action. CCD Executive Secretary Hama Arba Diallo (center) stressed that open dialogue sessions are advancing the participation of the NGO community in the convention’s work. Franklin Moore (US) (right) moderated the session.


Vore Seck, Conseil des ONG  d'appui au developpement (CONGAD) launched the dialogue by introducing five case studies, which demonstrate various aspects of local action in Africa and Latin America .

Lorena Gamboa, FURARE, spoke on how local actions contribute to the implementation of the Rio Conventions. 

Mulugeta Berhanu, DCG Ethiopia, discussed on the challenges of moving from responding to crises to managing for long-term sustainability.



Owen Maparo, CTDT, presented a case study from Zimbabwe that illustrates how long-term local involvement with a reforestation project has prevented crisis. 

Patrice Burger, CARI France presented a case study on the effects of decentralization on local action in Northern Mali, described the challenges and lessons learnt, and emphasized the importance of providing people with appropriate tools and support. He rounded up the discussion by calling for the empowerment of all stakeholders to implement the CCD.

Balaam Facho, presented  a case study from Chad demonstrating problems associated with the recent inflow of 300,000 migrants from Sudan, that has caused further degradation of fragile ecosystems and conflicts with local indigenous people.


REPORTS OF CST AND CRIC-4:


CST Chair Blujdea  reported that the Committee is considering nine draft decisions and attempting to approve them on Friday, 21 October. CRIC-4 Chair El Ghaouth reported that the contact group on draft decisions is making progress in finalizing all draft texts. However, the Committee was unable to meet due to unfinished work of the contact group. 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE


Above photo L-R: CCD Executive Secretary Hama Arba Diallo, Chair Riccardo Valentini and Vivian Pliner-Josephs, Secretary COP-7

Above photos: Chair Valentini (left) opened the second meeting of the Committee of the Whole (COW) in the afternoon to discuss the report of the UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and the Secretariat’s report on the activities of the Secretariat and CCD implementation. Even Fontaine Ortiz, JIU (right) made a presentation on the procedure and methodology adopted and the major recommendations made by JIU.



Jamaica on behalf of G-77/CHINA joined by Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Salvador and Chile commended the Secretariat for its leading role in CCD implementation. She said the JIU   recommendations are consistent with opinions previously expressed by the G-77/CHINA. 

Above photo: Cherryl Gordon (Jamaica)

The UK on behalf of the EU joined by Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, the US and Denmark stressed the need for a fresh look at approaches for CCD implementation and need for developing a common vision by taking advantage of the report. 

Above photo:
Josceline Wheatley (UK)

Argentina on behalf of GRULAC suggested establishing a contact group on using the report's recommendations. 




Above photo:
Octavio Pèrez Pardo (Argentina)


COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:


On early warning systems, the EU suggested adding a language requesting the Group of Experts to report on progress made on the subject to the CST at its eight session. 

Above photo L-R: Anna Ballance (UK), Alfredo Guillet and Andreas Brink (EC)

Above photo L-R: Members of the Group of Experts (GoE) with chair David Mouat, H.P. Singh, and Ismail El Bagouri

On land degradation assessment in drylands (LADA), NORWAY proposed several amendments. Above photo L-R: Gunn Paulsen and Frank Eklo (Norway)

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