The UNCCD has been ratified by 196 states plus the European Union. In 2015, parties to the convention adopted Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) as a primary goal of the UNCCD. This is aligned with SDG Target 15.3.
As a partner to the Convention since 2011, IUCN supports progress towards policies and programmes that deliver LDN through the application of Nature-based Solutions as the preferred option for LDN achievement, as it provides a holistic and balanced response and generates multiple benefits for people and nature, addresses SDGs and contributes to poverty reduction. IUCN encourages Parties to consider other interventions to help achieve LDN, including greater commitment to rangeland and grassland restoration, drought management, and the involvement of all stakeholders and groups.
IUCN has actively influenced the evolution of the Convention, including the development, adoption, and implementation of LDN. IUCN has been an institutional observer of the Science-Policy Interface, as was recently an observer on the intergovernmental working group for the midterm evaluation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework.
The partnership between the IUCN Secretariat and the UNCCD Secretariat is guided by a Work Plan and Memorandum of Understanding. The Joint Work-Plan 2021–2024 guides the partnership, with the overarching goal to support the achievement of LDN through the application of Nature-based Solutions, noting that they will ensure actions and policies that are gender responsive and transformative, respond to local societal needs, and deployed at sufficient scale.
