On Thursday morning, 24 February, delegates at CRIC 9 met in two contact groups. In the afternoon, delegates convened in plenary for interactive sessions on the outcome of the reporting process.

The interactive sessions were chaired by Conrod Hunte, Antigua and Barbuda. Sem Shikongo, Namibia, moderated the interactive session on NAP alignment including SRAP and RAP. At the conclusion of the hour-long discussion, Shikongo summed up the discussion, noting that countries do not need to wait for the NAP alignment process to conclude before they begin implementing the Strategy, and countries can use the alignment process as an opportunity to revise their NAPs.

Manfred Konukiewitz, Germany, moderated the session on financial flows. Following the hour-long discussion, Konukiewitz noted there had been an emphasis on tapping domestic resources as well as external aid money. He noted that the challenge is to leverage private investments through small, targeted public and seed money. He said he would take the issue of SLM to the discussions on the green climate fund, and highlighted the need to ensure that land is represented in climate discussions.

Mohamed Ismail, Arab Maghreb Union, moderated the session on best practices on SLM technologies. During this hour-long discussion, participants noted the role for capacity building and education, to help users assimilate lessons learned, along with the value of demonstration plots and extension services. A focus on “suitable technology” was also proposed.