Highlights and images for 5 December 2025

The closing plenary of the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation (CRIC 23) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) adopted a seven-part report corresponding to the main agenda items of the meeting. However, the Russian Federation reiterated their objection to the exclusion of their scientific expert “for political reasons,” and called for this to be noted in the final report of the meeting. 

In a round of closing remarks, Bhutan for the Asia-Pacific Group said one of the common themes of the week was a call for equitable, timely, targeted, and predictable support to the most affected countries and regions.  They echoed calls for upgrading the UNCCD Forum for small island developing states (SIDS) into a UNCCD SIDS Caucus to better represent the unique circumstances of these countries.

The European Union expressed regret that the agenda items on science were not discussed at this meeting of the CRIC. They called for the future scientific framework to be ambitious, science-based, and aligned with the Convention’s mandate. They further welcomed ongoing work on the next UNCCD Global Land Outlook and called for efforts to ensure its visibility.

Burkina Faso, for the African Group, appreciated the increased attention to drought, reiterating the region’s support for a strong drought regime. They expressed hope that the ongoing Tafa’ul Process facilitated by the Presidency of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) would lead to consensus on drought-related issues.

Paraguay, for the Latin American and Caribbean Group, expressed concern at the slow pace of operationalizing the Intergovernmental Working Group on a Future Strategic Framework (IWG-FSF) and urged the Secretariat to support Parties in finding a solution to the current impasse.

Spain, for Northern Mediterranean, stressed that capacity-building is an essential driver of transformative change and should be reflected in the IWG-FSF report. They applauded the Gender Caucus for showcasing Indigenous women’s leadership.

Azerbaijan, for Central and Eastern Europe, appreciated the  progress made in enhancing UNCCD reporting procedures under the PRAIS4 (Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System) platform.

Several speakers applauded Panama’s Nature Pledge for demonstrating a practical model of synergies across the three Rio Conventions.

Other issues raised in subsequent statements by Parties, specialized international organizations, and representatives of civil society and youth, included:

• the need to ensure funding under the Convention reaches the local land stewards and other groups who are most in need of support;
• welcoming the launch of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists;
• strengthening regional and international cooperation to tackle complex transboundary challenges such as sand and dust storms; and
• prioritizing long-term institutional capacity-building for women, youth, civil society organizations and Indigenous Peoples.

In her closing remarks, Chair Philippine Dutailly thanked delegates for not shying away from difficult discussions. She thanked Anja Thust, UNCCD Secretariat, for her long service with the CRIC and wished her a well-deserved retirement. 

UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Andrea Mezza expressed appreciation to Government of Panama for their inspiring leadership. She stressed that as desertification, land degradation and drought pose ever more existential threats, multilateralism must deliver and find solutions, no matter how difficult.

Among highlights of the session, she highlighted the first in-person consultation for the Indigenous People’s Caucus and the focus on Indigenous women’s leadership during the Gender Caucus. She said that efforts are underway to similarly establish the Local Communities Caucus.  

She further noted that following the first steering meeting of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, 74 countries will soon benefit from support.

Chair Dutailly gaveled CRIC 23 to a close at 5:27 pm.