About UNCCD
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a legally binding international agreement addressing desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD).
- It was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1996.
- It is the only legally binding global framework specifically focused on desertification and land degradation.
- The UNCCD currently has 197 Parties, comprising 196 countries and the European Union.
- Its objective is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, particularly in affected countries, through effective action at all levels.
- The Convention emphasises sustainable land management, restoration of degraded land and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities.
I. Origin of UNCCD
- The UNCCD emerged from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the growing recognition of desertification as a major environmental and developmental challenge.
- It was adopted in Paris, France, on 17 June 1994.
- It entered into force on 26 December 1996.
- 17 June is observed annually as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
II. UNCCD and the Rio Conventions
- UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions, along with:
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- These three conventions address interconnected global challenges involving:
- Land degradation
- Climate change
- Biodiversity loss
III. Key Objectives of UNCCD
- Combating desertification.
- Mitigating the effects of drought.
- Preventing and reversing land degradation.
- Promoting sustainable land management.
- Restoring degraded land and ecosystems.
- Improving the livelihoods and resilience of communities dependent on land resources.
- Strengthening international cooperation and mobilisation of resources for affected countries.
IV. India and UNCCD
- India is a Party to the UNCCD.
- India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.
- India also hosted the 14th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) of UNCCD in New Delhi in 2019.
Important Facts
- UNCCD was adopted: 1994.
- Entered into force: 1996.
- Headquarters/Secretariat: Bonn, Germany.
- Parties: 197.
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: 17 June.
- UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions.
- Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is closely associated with SDG Target 15.3.
- COP is the supreme decision-making body of UNCCD.
- India hosted UNCCD COP14 in New Delhi in 2019.
- The UNCCD Strategic Framework 2018–2030 guides implementation of the Convention.
Conclusion
The UNCCD provides the principal global framework for addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. By promoting sustainable land management, land restoration, drought resilience and community participation, it connects environmental protection with food security, livelihoods, water security and climate resilience, making it an important area for UPSC Prelims.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article – India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) |