The objectives of the 1994 Convention to Combat
Desertification in Countries Experiencing Serious Drought
and/or Desertification are to combat desertification and
mitigate the effects of drought with a view to contributing
to the achievement of sustainable development in affected
areas. The objectives are to be met through effective
action at all levels, supported by international
cooperation. 190 countries and EC are parties to the
Convention.
Desertification processes are closely linked to the
conservation and use of biodiversity and international
water resources, to climate change and to global warming.
Combating desertification requires a well-defined,
integrated, international and national approach.
Consequently the Convention explicitly recognizes the need
to:
• Integrate desertification strategies with poverty
reduction initiatives to reflect the relationship between
poverty and the environment
• Develop an integrated, cross-cultural approach to
sustainable management of natural resources,
• Prepare, publicize and implement national action plans,
• Promote sound policies and strengthen institutional
frameworks,
• Establish or strengthen food security systems, including
marketing and storage,
• Establish appropriate financial mechanisms.
Türkiye has been a Party to the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification since 1997. Türkiye is involved in
the Regional Implementation Annex for the Northern
Mediterranean (Annex IV) of the Convention. Türkiye has been
attaching great importance to working in close cooperation
with the countries in the region and to participating in
programs and projects.
In this framework, Türkiye hosted the 12th Session
Conference of Parties of UN Convention to Combat
Desertification in Ankara between 12-25 October 2015 and
assumed the presidency of in the following two years. In
that regard, Türkiye started the Ankara Initiative to
contribute efforts of the countries that are in most need
in combating drought and desertification.
Moreover, in contribution to global endeavours to raise
global awareness, Türkiye hosted “The World Day to Combat
Desertification” on 17 June 2019 in Ankara.