Summary: 23 July 2007, Brussels - Council of the European Union Conclusions on the Preparation for the 8th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 8) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (Madrid, 3 to 14 September 2007), 2816th GENERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"STRESSING the urgency of continuous, enhanced and vigorous efforts at all levels to achieve the global target of accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals and to significantly reduce the expansion of areas affected by desertification;
BEARING IN MIND those European countries affected by desertification, drought and land degradation as included within annexes IV and V of the Convention;
EMPHASISING the need for the UNCCD to focus on effective implementation;
UNDERLINING the European Union's strong commitment to a successful outcome of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 8) of the UNCCD in September 2007;
RECALLING the ACP-EC joint declaration of the 21st May 2007 on combating drought and desertification in support of the reform of the UNCCD;
HIGHLIGHTING the following EU priorities, to be complemented with detailed positions on the whole range of issues to be addressed at COP 8 in due course;
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:
1. CALLS FOR stronger mutual support among desertification, climate change and biodiversity policies, building on their great potential for synergies; REAFFIRMS that when implementing the UNCCD the most appropriate means of eradicating poverty and improving the environment are taken into account.
2. UNDERLINES the importance of the work of the Intersessional Intergovernmental Working Group (IIWG) to foster the development of the Convention and its proposal for a "Ten-Year Strategic Plan and Framework to Enhance the Implementation of the UNCCD"; STRESSES that consideration and final adoption by COP 8 of the Ten-Year Strategic Plan and the subsequent comprehensive implementation of the Plan will decisively contribute towards achieving the UNCCD objectives.
3. EMPHASIZES the importance of ensuring that the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) review takes place at COP8 and is fully consistent with the outcome of the IIWG process.
4. REGARDS it essential that COP 8 addresses the relationship between poverty and desertification by defining the specific contribution the UNCCD should make to combating poverty in the affected countries in close co-operation with other relevant global and regional processes, such as on sustainable forest management, access to water and migration.
5. EMPHASISES the need to strengthen the knowledge base of the UNCCD via the Committee of Science and Technology (CST) to facilitate more informed decision making.
6. HIGHLIGHTS the importance of rapid and full implementation of the UNCCD making progress in the promotion of an improved monitoring system and establishment of standards for conservation, management and sustainable use of drylands, as well as through the exchange of experience and best practices between existing and new networks.
7. RECOGNISES the need to review financing from existing instruments and to tap new funding sources; HOLDS THAT the effective management and financing of initiatives to combat desertification will be of vital importance.
8. STRESSES that an efficient and effective UNCCD Secretariat and a sound budget affordable and acceptable to all parties are preconditions for ensuring a sound administrative and financial management for the UNCCD.
9. BELIEVES that civil society has a key role to play in the enhanced implementation of the Strategic Plan, especially at local level, where it is most needed; in this context ENCOURAGES the improved participation of all civil society actors in the UNCCD process.
10. CONSIDERS as essential the creation or promotion of policy and institutional frameworks conducive to viable solutions for combating desertification and land degradation and mitigating the effects of drought."
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page