Signed: 9 January 1995
Ratified: 30 September 1997
Acceded: June 1994

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas and does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts. It is caused primarily by human activities, through over-exploitation and inappropriate land use, and by climate variations.

In 1977, the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) adopted a Plan of Action to Combat Desertification (PACD). The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 supported a new, integrated approach to the problem, emphasizing action to promote sustainable development at the community level. It also called on the United Nations General Assembly to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INCD) to prepare, by June 1994, a Convention to Combat Desertification, particularly in Africa. In December 1992, the General Assembly agreed and adopted resolution 47/188. As a result, the Convention was adopted in Paris on 17 June 1994 and opened for signature there on 14-15 October 1994. It entered into force on 26 December 1996, 90 days after the fiftieth ratification was received. Over 179 countries were Parties as at March 2002.

For details please click http://www.unccd.int.