Report: UNDP at UNCCD COP13

The 13th meeting of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP13) was attended by around 4,000 representatives from 196 country parties, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations with the objective of approving the new Strategic Framework of the Convention for 2018-2030. UNDP’s participation in COP13 was a well-coordinated team effort that resulted in excellent visibility and positioned us as a valued partner for global sustainable land management work.

The UNCCD COP13 adopted several key decisions: the 2018-2030 Strategic Framework of the Convention; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its implications for the UNCCD; effective implementation of the Convention at national, sub-regional and regional levels; and linking scientific knowledge with decision making. Specifically:

• The COP adopted the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework and called on parties to apply this framework in their national policies, programmes, plans and processes relating to Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD).
• The COP adopted the Policy Advocacy Framework on Gender Equality to support gender-responsive implementation of the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework. It requested parties to further mainstream gender equality into DLDD-related policies and activities.
• In addition, the COP adopted the Drought Resilience, Adaptation and Management Policy Framework, inviting parties to use this framework to strengthen their capacity to enhance drought preparedness and provide appropriate response to drought.