Trade and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Sem T Shikongo

Transcription

1 SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION. SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LA DESERTIFICATION Trade and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Sem T Shikongo

2 Environmental Problems fuelled by change today Problem Rangeland Degradation Deforestation Soil erosion Water management Climate Change & Natural Variability Waste & Pollution Immediate Causes Overstocking Overgrazing Unsustainable use of timber for fuel, housing, fencing, unsuitable fire management, Natural vulnerability, nutrient mining from cultivation, Harvest, grazing, and wood cutting remove more nutrients from the soil Badly distributed boreholes, over-abstraction of water Limited adaptive management Inadequate facilities Lack of awareness Human capacity

3 Agriculture trade the cure? Agricultural productivity has declined Loss of biodiversity, bush-encroachment, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion and loss of fertility of croplands The worlds population keeps increasing

4 S.O 1Improving the living conditions of affected populations People have an improved and more diversified livelihood base People benefit from income generated from sustainable land management People s s socio-economic and environmental vulnerability to climate change, climate variability and drought is reduced

5 SO 2 To improve the conditions of affected ecosystems Land productivity and other ecosystem goods and services are enhanced in a sustainable manner thus contributing to improved livelihoods The vulnerability of affected ecosystems to climate change, climate variability and drought is reduced

6 SO 3 To generate global benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD SLM and combating desertification/land degradation contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use recognition of the value of the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of the indigenous and local communities recognition that the resource user is the best manager

7 SO 4: To mobilize resources to support implementation of the Convention trough building effective partnerships between national and international actors Enabling Policy environments are improved for UNCCD implementation at all levels Development policies and measures address desertification/land degradation d and mitigation of effects of drought

8 OO 1 Advocacy, Awareness Raising and Education To actively influence relevant international, national and local processes and actors in adequately addressing desertification/land degradation and drought related issues

9 OO 2 Policy Framework To support the creation of enabling environments for promoting solutions to combat desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought

10 OO 3 Science, technology and knowledge To become a global authority on scientific and technical knowledge pertaining to desertification/land degradation and the mitigation of the effects of drought

11 OO 4 Capacity Building To identify and address capacity building needs to prevent and revert desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought

12 SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION. SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LA DESERTIFICATION The UNCCD: Conclusions holds a comparative advantage over other international actors in the area of normative authority Is the only legally-binding multi-lateral instrument operating at the interface of environment and development issues focusing specifically on drylands It is a unique holistic framework and the one true sustainable development Convention with a clear focus and valuable challenge function Its primary strength lies in its coordination of activities to combat desertification and in raising awareness of the problems- it is the world s key player in attracting attention to desertification and land degradation issues

13 SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION. SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LA DESERTIFICATION Finally... Without the UNCCD: international recognition of the significant, deleterious relationship between poverty and drought and/or desertification (particularly in Africa) would be considerably weakened, as would be the international support for grass-roots actions to combat desertification and achieve sustainable development in affected areas