Monday 11 | The First Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) opened Monday at the Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy.

During the opening ceremony, participants heard statements by the CCD Executive Secretary, CRIC Chairman, FAO Deputy-Director General, CCD COP-5 President, and the Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment and Land Protection of the Italian Republic. The opening plenary addressed organizational matters, such as the election of officers and the adoption of the agenda and the organization of work. In the afternoon, the CRIC was presented with case-studies dealing with: participatory processes involving civil society, NGOs and community-based organizations; legislative and institutional frameworks or arrangements; and linkages and synergies with other environmental conventions.

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	Chairperson of the CRIC, Rogatien Biaou, encouraged understanding and tolerance among delegates and a focus on the disastrous effects of desertification and drought. He stressed that the CRIC is a working instrument for focusing on the practical aspects of the CCD, and that delegates must now take practical action in addressing the problems of people dealing with desertification and land degradation.
	The EU underscored that the CRIC must reflect a true bottom-up approach on a regional basis, which allows for participation by all stakeholders and that will lead to the identification of regional lessons and constraints for consideration and action at COP-6 in September 2003.
	CCD Executive Secretary, Hama Arba Diallo, highlighted in his opening address various actions taken by Parties that have advanced implementation, including: legislative, regulatory and institutional arrangements to combat desertification; measures to include stakeholders; and the integration of the CCD into other sustainable development and poverty eradication frameworks.
	Deputy Director-General of the FAO, David Harcharik, emphasized the relationship between food security and the fight against desertification. He said delegates must consider the links between land degradation, malnutrition and poverty.
	COP-5 President, Charles Basset, underlined the significant events related to the CCD which have occurred since COP-5, including: the WTO's Fourth Ministerial Meeting; the Financing for Development Conference; the World Food Summit +5; the G-8 Summit; the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Second GEF Assembly. He said that progress under the CCD must be viewed in light of these developments and emphasized the need to take action by sharing knowledge and experience on how to combat desertification.
	Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment and Land Protection of the Italian Republic, Roberto Tortoli, said delegates must promote synergies among conventions and recognize the links between poverty and land degradation.

Links |

Text of the convention and useful information

CCD information on desertification and the Convention

Official Documents of the First Session of the CRIC

Press release on the CRIC

CRIC1 - Tentative Schedule

Adoption of the Agenda and Organization of Work

Arrangements for the First Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention

Linkages desertification issues page and COP-5 summary report.