September 1, 2019
The aim of this Convention is to identify mutually viable solutions to the growing challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought
Delegates from 196 countries comprising of scientists, representatives of governments, global business leaders will attend the Conference
Highlighting India’s resolve to fight desertification, India will convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land in the next 10 years
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is at the forefront of efforts to boost resources conservation and sustainable economic development
India will be hosting the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from September2-13 in Delhi. Delegates from 196 countries comprising of scientists and representatives of national and local governments, global business leaders, NGOs, gender-based organisations, youth groups, journalists, and faith and community groups will share their expertise and give an overview to achieve their goals at the 12-day Conference. Top officials from UN bodies, UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), are also expected to attend the conference.
Highlighting India’s resolve to fight desertification, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, announced that India will convert degraded land of nearly 5 million hectares of fertile land in the next 10 years. India will implement the provisions of the New Delhi Declaration which is to be adopted at the end of the conference and a Centre for Excellence will be established at Dehradun. He reiterated India’s continued commitment to staying on track on a sustainable path to land use and land management. India became a signatory to UNCCD on 14th October 1994 and ratified it on 17th December 1996.
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is at the forefront of efforts to boost resources conservation and sustainable economic development. The aim of the convention is to identify mutually viable solutions to the growing challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought. The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. To improve the living conditions for people in drylands, restore soil productivity and mitigate the effects of drought. This would help set the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.