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FIFTH SESSION

The fifth session of the INCD was held in Paris from 6-17 June 1994. During this session, delegates worked to reach agreement on the remaining bracketed text in the Convention. They also finalized four regional implementation annexes for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Northern Mediterranean, adopted resolutions that recommended urgent action for Africa and interim arrangements for the period between adoption of the Convention and its entry into force, which could take at least two years. There were times during this session that delegates thought they would never reach agreement on the financial provisions of the Convention. After three all-night sessions capped by a closing Plenary that did not even begin until 4:00 am, the Convention was finally adopted.

The Convention, which is the first "sustainable development convention" to be negotiated after the Rio Conference, is notable for its innovative approach in recognizing: the physical, biological and socio-economic aspects of desertification; the importance of redirecting technology transfer so that it is demand driven; and the involvement of local populations in the development of national action programmes. The core of the Convention is the development of national and subregional/regional action programmes to combat desertification. These action programmes are to be developed by national governments in close cooperation with donors, local populations and NGOs. The 40-article Convention is divided into the following sections: I. Introduction; II. General provisions; III. Action programmes, scientific and technical cooperation and supporting measures; IV. Institutions; and V. Procedures. For a more detailed summary of the Convention, see Earth Negotiations Bulletin, Vol. 4. No. 55.