Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP11)
“A stronger UNCCD for a Land Degradation-Neutral World”

On Thursday, COP 11 convened in two parallel sessions. The COW discussed GM housing arrangements, programme and budget, the Rio+20 outcome on LDNW, the Strategy, the UN Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, rules of procedure and accreditation of CSOs. The CST reviewed reports on the organization and outcomes of the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference, and began consideration of the draft multi-year work plan.

Throughout the day and in the evening contact group sessions took place on: budget and GM matters, a science-policy interface and best practices.

Seven side events took place on: Country Pilot Partnerships on SLM; alignment of the West African subregional action programmes with the Strategy; institutional development and mentoring for SLM; effective SLM through knowledge management, decision support and advocacy; successful events organization for the fight against desertification; the Climate and Land Investment Facility; and the Global Drylands Report.

The Rio Conventions Pavilion hosted the Land Degradation Neutrality Day.