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Fourth Conference of the Parties 
to the Convention to 
Combat Desertification
Bonn, Germany; 11-22 December 2000

 
Highlights from Wednesday, 20 December
 

The Plenary convened all day to hear the last 32 statements in the special segment on the implementation of the Convention from one Prime Minister, and high-level officials and representatives of UN bodies and specialized agencies, and to engage in a dialogue with NGO's. The ad hoc working group on the review of CCD implementation (AHWG) met to consider the Latin America and Caribbean and Northern Mediterranean regional reports, and six country reports from Italy, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Portugal and Moldova






Above photo: UNFCCC COP-6 President delivering his plenary statement
 

Plenary: Special segment on the implementation of the Convention





H.E. Prime Minister Caetano Inlchama (Guinea Bissau) in his plenary speech, urged the Global Mechanism (GM) to step up efforts for CCD financing and the GEF to strengthen support to the secretariat.

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UNFCCC COP-6 President, Jan Pronk (Netherlands) emphasized the links between the Climate Change Convention and CCD
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*RealAudio of the Plenary Statements to follow soon

                                                                                                                                                       



The Hon. Pelokgale Seloma (Botswana) supported the establishment of regional coordination units (RCUs) to advice countries in technical matters and called for a GEF window to fund CCD implementation.

 





H.E. Mr. Izhar Ibrahim (Indonesia), said it needed financial and technical support to improve capacity for NAP activities.

NGO DIALOGUE

The second open dialogue with NGOs considered gender perspectives in combating desertification. Opening the session, CCD Deputy Executive Secretary Kalela noted that although women in desertified areas are the hardest hit by desertification, there is a large and growing presence of women decision-makers, who could make policies to transform the reality of women in drylands. Left photo: The dias during the ngo dialogue. 






 Right photo: Deputy Executive Secretary Aira Kalela in discussions with NGO representatives

AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON IMPLEMENTATION: 


NATIONAL REPORTS FROM THE LAC REGION



Mr. Octavio Perez Pardo (Argentina) said its NAP was a mechanism that enables decentralized coordination of national activities, without establishing a large focal point. He said it is a continuous process and has been revised to incorporate lessons learned.










Mr. Marco Montoya Rivera (Bolivia) outlined the institutional structure of its NAP, which focuses on awareness raising, enhancing competencies of authorities, actor participation and promotion of new economic activities. 











María Urquiza Rodríguez (Cuba) stressed maintaining soil productivity, links to economic and social development and community action, as relevant aspects of its efforts to combat desertification.


NATIONAL REPORTS FROM THE NORTHERN MEDI­TERRANEAN REGION AND OTHERS


Mr. Victor Lauro (Portugal) noted water erosion, poor agricultural practices, and abandonment of managed lands as causes of land degradation. He highlighted the long NAP development process in his country, and said there would be no new sources of funding, but a reorienta­tion of existing ones.





Dr. Valentin Sofroni (Moldova), highlighted its recent NAP that includes provision for economic mechanisms, such as credits and restructuring of the tax system, the integrated management of soils, and anti-erosion and rehabilitation measures. He also appealed for support for NAP implementation.
 
ENB Summary of COP-3
ENB Coverage of COP-3
UNCCD Secretariat web site with COP-4 official documents and information for participants
Introduction to the CCD
Linkages desertification page
Other Internet Resources on Desertification

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