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3. Objectives:

Switzerland, Germany and the UK said that the Convention should include verifiable objectives and the ability to make firm, lasting commitments. Canada stressed that rather than embark on major schemes to reclaim desert areas, the Convention should aim to stop the conversion of productive land into desert. Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic agreed that the Convention should take into account needs for both prevention and mitigation. The UK also urged that the focus be on the causes of desertification at the local level, rather than the effects. Other objectives that were mentioned include: the need to strengthen regional cooperation (Kenya); increased South-South cooperation (Austria and Cuba); and global objectives giving Africa priority treatment (Spain);