United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.

The new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework is the most comprehensive global commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in order to restore the productivity of vast expanses of degraded land, improve the livelihoods of more than 1.3 billion people, and reduce the impacts of drought on vulnerable populations to build “A future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels ... to achieve a land degradation-neutral world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

The Convention´s website offers a vast portfolio of relevant offers:

Knowledge Hub
The UNCCD Knowledge Hub presents best practices in sustainable land management (SLM) technologies, including examples of best practices categorised by land use type and technology group. Policy makers, researchers, land users, and other stakeholders interested in land management can find practical information and useful resources on SLM best practices to support effective SLM planning and implementation.


Capacity Building Marketplace
The Capacity Building Marketplace quickly and easily connects capacity related needs and solutions concerning the implementation of the UNCCD.
The Marketplace helps individuals and organizations find and offer current learning, funding, and job opportunities in one place. It further invites stakeholders to contribute relevant content to network with interested parties.


UNCCD Publications


UNCCD library online catalogue