Patrick Breard, consultant, presented on the development of a UNCCD knowledge- management system.

Warapon Waramit, Thailand, for the Asian and Pacific region, suggested that criteria be established for the selection of eForum facilitators, and said that language differences might make it beneficial to have more than one facilitator.

Olanrewaju Smith, consultant, presented on progress made following a COP 9 decision requesting the CST to assess how to organize scientific advice.

During an afternoon side event, the Environment Management Group (EMG) presented an update on progress on the report “Global Drylands: A UN system wide response.” The report will include chapters addressing: an introduction to drylands; drylands in the global context; a framework for investments in the drylands; responding to the challenge and costs of inaction; and a proposal for joint action by UN actors. Key messages will be delivered at high-level event on desertification and drought at the UN General Assembly in September, and the report will be presented to UNCCD COP 10 in October 2011. (L-R) Luc Gnacadja, UNCCD Executive Secretary, Hossein Fadaei, Acting Secretary of EMG, Stephen Twomlow, UNEP, and Jessica Smith, UNEP-WCMC.

DesertNet International and UNU-INWEH sponsored a side event in the evening, during which Richard Thomas (UNU-INWEH, pictured above) and Mariam Akhtar-Schuster (DesertNet International) presented a report on providing inter-disciplinary advice to the UNCCD, based on information gathered through an e.forum. Stephen Twomlow, UNEP, presented on the development of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and reviewed opportunities for this body to consider land and desertification issues.

At an evening side event, Mohamed Bakarr, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF Secretariat, made a presentation on “Land degradation focal area financing in GEF-5,” and explained that the proposed use of set-aside funds includes US$25 million for UNCCD enabling activities.

(L-R) Pedro Paez, Chief, Ecuadorian Presidential Commission for a New Regional Financial Architecture and Banco Del Sur, and Christian Mersmann, Managing Director of the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations on Thursday, while Riccardo Moro, Coordinator, BRIDGES Project, looked on.