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Paragraphs in "Convention To Combat Desertification In Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought And/Or Desertification, Particularly In Africa" coded as SCIR

Label Provision
Pre.1 The Parties to this Convention,
Pre.2 Affirming that human beings in affected or threatened areas are at the centre of concerns to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought,
Pre.3 Reflecting the urgent concern of the international community, including states and international organizations, about the adverse impacts of desertification and drought,
Pre.4 Aware that arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas together account for a significant proportion of the Earth's land area and are the habitat and source of livelihood for a large segment of its population,
Pre.5 Acknowledging that desertification and drought are problems of global dimension in that they affect all regions of the world and that joint action of the international community is needed to combat desertification and/ or mitigate the effects of drought,
Pre.6 Noting the high concentration of developing countries, notably the least developed countries, among those experiencing serious drought and/ or desertification, and the particularly tragic consequences of these phenomena in Africa,
Pre.7 Noting also that desertification is caused by complex interactions among physical, biological, political, social, cultural and economic factors,
Pre.8 Considering the impact of trade and relevant aspects of international economic relations on the ability of affected countries to combat desertification adequately,
Pre.9 Conscious that sustainable economic growth, social development and poverty eradication are priorities of affected developing countries, particularly in Africa, and are essential to meeting sustainability objectives,
Pre.10 Mindful that desertification and drought affect sustainable development through their interrelationships with important social problems such as poverty, poor health and nutrition, lack of food security, and those arising from migration, displacement of persons and demographic dynamics,
Pre.11 Appreciating the significance of the past efforts and experience of States and international organizations in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, particularly in implementing the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification which was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Desertification in 1977,
Pre.12 Realizing that, despite efforts in the past, progress in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought has not met expectations and that a new and more effective approach is needed at all levels within the framework of sustainable development,
Pre.13 Recognizing the validity and relevance of decisions adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, particularly of Agenda 21 and its chapter 12, which provide a basis for combating desertification, Reaffirming in this light the commitments of developed countries as contained in paragraph 13 of chapter 33 of Agenda 21,
Pre.14 Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/ 188, particularly the priority in it prescribed for Africa, and all other relevant United Nations resolutions, decisions and programmes on desertification and drought, as well as relevant declarations by African countries and those from other regions,
Pre.15 Reaffirming the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which states, in its Principle 2, that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction,
Pre.16 Recognizing that national Governments play a critical role in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought and that progress in that respect depends on local implementation of action programmes in affected areas,
Pre.17 Recognizing also the importance and necessity of international cooperation and partnership in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought,
Pre.19 Expressing concern over the impact of desertification and drought on affected countries in Central Asia and the Transcaucasus,
Pre.20 Stressing the important role played by women in regions affected by desertification and/ or drought, particularly in rural areas of developing countries, and the importance of ensuring the full participation of both men and women at all levels in programmes to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought,
Pre.21 Emphasizing the special role of non-governmental organizations and other major groups in programmes to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought,
Pre.22 Bearing in mind the relationship between desertification and other environmental problems of global dimension facing the international and national communities,
Pre.23 Bearing also in mind the contribution that combating desertification can make to achieving the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other related environmental conventions,
Pre.25 Recognizing the urgent need to improve the effectiveness and coordination of international cooperation to facilitate the implementation of national plans and priorities,
Pre.26 Determined to take appropriate action in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought for the benefit of present and future generations,
Pre.27 Have agreed as follows:
Sect.1 PART I
Art.1 Article 1
Art.1.1x For the purposes of this Convention:
Art.1.1x.a (a) "desertification" means land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities;
Art.1.1x.b (b) "combating desertification" includes activities which are part of the integrated development of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas for sustainable development which are aimed at:
Art.1.1x.b.i (i) prevention and/ or reduction of land degradation;
Art.1.1x.b.ii (ii) rehabilitation of partly degraded land; and
Art.1.1x.b.iii (iii) reclamation of desertified land; 4
Art.1.1x.c (c) "drought" means the naturally occurring phenomenon that exists when precipitation has been significantly below normal recorded levels, causing serious hydrological imbalances that adversely affect land resource production systems;
Art.1.1x.d (d) "mitigating the effects of drought" means activities related to the prediction of drought and intended to reduce the vulnerability of society and natural systems to drought as it relates to combating desertification;
Art.1.1x.e (e) "land" means the terrestrial bio-productive system that comprises soil, vegetation, other biota, and the ecological and hydrological processes that operate within the system;
Art.1.1x.f (f) "land degradation" means reduction or loss, in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands resulting from land uses or from a process or combination of processes, including processes arising from human activities and habitation patterns, such as:
Art.1.1x.f.i (i) soil erosion caused by wind and/ or water;
Art.1.1x.f.ii (ii) deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or economic properties of soil; and
Art.1.1x.f.iii (iii) long-term loss of natural vegetation;
Art.1.1x.g (g) "arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas" means areas, other than polar and sub-polar regions, in which the ratio of annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration falls within the range from 0.05 to 0.65;
Art.1.1x.h (h) "affected areas" means arid, semi-arid and/ or dry sub-humid areas affected or threatened by desertification;
Art.1.1x.i (i) "affected countries" means countries whose lands include, in whole or in part, affected areas;
Art.1.1x.j (j) "regional economic integration organization" means an organization constituted by sovereign States of a given region which has competence in respect of matters governed by this Convention and has been duly authorized, in accordance with its internal procedures, to sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to this Convention;
Art.1.1x.k (k) "developed country Parties" means developed country Parties and regional economic integration organizations constituted by developed countries.
Art.2 Article 2
Art.2.1 1. The objective of this Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/ or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas.
Art.2.2 2. Achieving this objective will involve long-term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously, in affected areas, on improved productivity of land, and the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living conditions, in particular at the community level.
Art.3 Article 3
Art.3.1x In order to achieve the objective of this Convention and to implement its provisions, the Parties shall be guided, inter alia, by the following:
Art.3.1x.a (a) the Parties should ensure that decisions on the design and implementation of programmes to combat desertification and/ or mitigate the effects of drought are taken with the participation of populations and local communities and that an enabling environment is created at higher levels to facilitate action at national and local levels;
Art.3.1x.c (c) the Parties should develop, in a spirit of partnership, cooperation among all levels of government, communities, non-governmental organizations and landholders to establish a better understanding of the nature and value of land and scarce water resources in affected areas and to work towards their sustainable use; and
Art.3.1x.d (d) the Parties should take into full consideration the special needs and circumstances of affected developing country Parties, particularly the least developed among them.
Sect.2 PART II
Art.4 Article 4
Art.4.1 1. The Parties shall implement their obligations under this Convention, individually or jointly, either through existing or prospective bilateral and multilateral arrangements or a combination thereof, as appropriate, emphasizing the need to coordinate efforts and develop a coherent long-term strategy at all levels.
Art.4.2 2. In pursuing the objective of this Convention, the Parties shall:
Art.4.2.a (a) adopt an integrated approach addressing the physical, biological and socio-economic aspects of the processes of desertification and drought;
Art.4.2.b (b) give due attention, within the relevant international and regional bodies, to the situation of affected developing country Parties with regard to international trade, marketing arrangements and debt with a view to establishing an enabling international economic environment conducive to the promotion of sustainable development;
Art.4.2.c (c) integrate strategies for poverty eradication into efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought;
Art.4.2.d (d) promote cooperation among affected country Parties in the fields of environmental protection and the conservation of land and water resources, as they relate to desertification and drought;
Art.4.2.e (e) strengthen subregional, regional and international cooperation;
Art.4.2.f (f) cooperate within relevant intergovernmental organizations;
Art.4.2.g (g) determine institutional mechanisms, if appropriate, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication; and
Art.4.2.h (h) promote the use of existing bilateral and multilateral financial mechanisms and arrangements that mobilize and channel substantial financial resources to affected developing country Parties in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought.
Art.4.3 3. Affected developing country Parties are eligible for assistance in the implementation of the Convention.
Art.5 Article 5
Art.5.1x In addition to their obligations pursuant to article 4, affected country Parties undertake to:
Art.5.1x.a (a) give due priority to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, and allocate adequate resources in accordance with their circumstances and capabilities;
Art.5.1x.b (b) establish strategies and priorities, within the framework of sustainable development plans and/ or policies, to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought;
Art.5.1x.d (d) promote awareness and facilitate the participation of local populations, particularly women and youth, with the support of non-governmental organizations, in efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought; and
Art.5.1x.e (e) provide an enabling environment by strengthening, as appropriate, relevant existing legislation and, where they do not exist, enacting new laws and establishing long-term policies and action programmes.
Art.6 Article 6
Art.6.1x In addition to their general obligations pursuant to article 4, developed country Parties undertake to:
Art.6.1x.a (a) actively support, as agreed, individually or jointly, the efforts of affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, and the least developed countries, to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought;
Art.6.1x.b (b) provide substantial financial resources and other forms of support to assist affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, effectively to develop and implement their own long-term plans and strategies to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought;
Art.6.1x.c (c) promote the mobilization of new and additional funding pursuant to article 20, paragraph 2 (b);
Art.6.1x.d (d) encourage the mobilization of funding from the private sector and other non-governmental sources; and
Art.7 Article 7
Art.7.1x In implementing this Convention, the Parties shall give priority to affected African country Parties, in the light of the particular situation prevailing in that region, while not neglecting affected developing country Parties in other regions.
Art.8 Article 8
Art.8.2 2. The provisions of this Convention shall not affect the rights and obligations of any Party deriving from a bilateral, regional or international agreement into which it has entered prior to the entry into force of this Convention for it.
Sect.3 PART III
Sect.3.1 Section 1: Action programmes
Art.9 Article 9
Art.9.2 2. In the provision by developed country Parties of different forms of assistance under the terms of article 6, priority shall be given to supporting, as agreed, national, subregional and regional action programmes of affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, either directly or through relevant multilateral organizations or both.
Art.10 Article 10
Art.10.1 1. The purpose of national action programmes is to identify the factors contributing to desertification and practical measures necessary to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.
Art.10.2 2. National action programmes shall specify the respective roles of government, local communities and land users and the resources available and needed. They shall, inter alia:
Art.10.2.a (a) incorporate long-term strategies to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, emphasize implementation and be integrated with national policies for sustainable development;
Art.10.2.c (c) give particular attention to the implementation of preventive measures for lands that are not yet degraded or which are only slightly degraded;
Art.10.2.f (f) provide for effective participation at the local, national and regional levels of non-governmental organizations and local populations, both women and men, particularly resource users, including farmers and pastoralists and their representative organizations, in policy planning, decision-making, and implementation and review of national action programmes; and
Art.10.2.g (g) require regular review of, and progress reports on, their implementation.
Art.10.3 3. National action programmes may include, inter alia, some or all of the following measures to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought:
Art.10.3.a (a) establishment and/ or strengthening, as appropriate, of early warning systems, including local and national facilities and joint systems at the subregional and regional levels, and mechanisms for assisting environmentally displaced persons;
Art.10.3.b (b) strengthening of drought preparedness and management, including drought contingency plans at the local, national, subregional and regional levels, which take into consideration seasonal to interannual climate predictions;
Art.10.3.c (c) establishment and/ or strengthening, as appropriate, of food security systems, including storage and marketing facilities, particularly in rural areas;
Art.10.3.d (d) establishment of alternative livelihood projects that could provide incomes in drought prone areas; and
Art.10.3.e (e) development of sustainable irrigation programmes for both crops and livestock.
Art.11 Article 11
Art.12 Article 12
Art.13 Article 13
Art.13.1 1. Measures to support action programmes pursuant to article 9 include, inter alia:
Art.13.1.a (a) financial cooperation to provide predictability for action programmes, allowing for necessary long-term planning;
Art.13.1.b (b) elaboration and use of cooperation mechanisms which better enable support at the local level, including action through non-governmental organizations, in order to promote the replicability of successful pilot programme activities where relevant;
Art.13.1.c (c) increased flexibility in project design, funding and implementation in keeping with the experimental, iterative approach indicated for participatory action at the local community level; and
Art.13.1.d (d) as appropriate, administrative and budgetary procedures that increase the efficiency of cooperation and of support programmes.
Art.13.2 2. In providing such support to affected developing country Parties, priority shall be given to African country Parties and to least developed country Parties.
Art.14 Article 14
Art.14.1 1. The Parties shall work closely together, directly and through relevant intergovernmental organizations, in the elaboration and implementation of action programmes.
Art.14.2 2. The Parties shall develop operational mechanisms, particularly at the national and field levels, to ensure the fullest possible coordination among developed country Parties, developing country Parties and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, in order to avoid duplication, harmonize interventions and approaches, and maximize the impact of assistance. In affected developing country Parties, priority will be given to coordinating activities related to international cooperation in order to maximize the efficient use of resources, to ensure responsive assistance, and to facilitate the implementation of national action programmes and priorities under this Convention.
Art.15 Article 15
Art.15.1x Elements for incorporation in action programmes shall be selected and adapted to the socio-economic, geographical and climatic factors applicable to affected country Parties or regions, as well as to their level of development. Guidelines for the preparation of action programmes and their exact focus and content for particular subregions and regions are set out in the regional implementation annexes.
Sect.3.2 Section 2: Scientific and technical cooperation
Art.16 Article 16
Art.17 Article 17
Art.18 Article 18
Art.19 Article 19
Art.19.1 1. The Parties recognize the significance of capacity building --that is to say, institution building, training and development of relevant local and national capacities --in efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought. They shall promote, as appropriate, capacity-building:
Art.19.1.a (a) through the full participation at all levels of local people, particularly at the local level, especially women and youth, with the cooperation of non-governmental and local organizations;
Art.19.1.k (k) by means of exchange visitor programmes to enhance capacity building in affected country Parties through a long-term, interactive process of learning and study.
Art.19.2 2. Affected developing country Parties shall conduct, in cooperation with other Parties and competent intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as appropriate, an interdisciplinary review of available capacity and facilities at the local and national levels, and the potential for strengthening them.
Art.19.3 3. The Parties shall cooperate with each other and through competent intergovernmental organizations, as well as with non-governmental organizations, in undertaking and supporting public awareness and educational programmes in both affected and, where relevant, unaffected country Parties to promote understanding of the causes and effects of desertification and drought and of the importance of meeting the objective of this Convention. To that end, they shall:
Art.19.3.a (a) organize awareness campaigns for the general public;
Art.19.3.b (b) promote, on a permanent basis, access by the public to relevant information, and wide public participation in education and awareness activities;
Art.19.3.c (c) encourage the establishment of associations that contribute to public awareness;
Art.19.3.d (d) develop and exchange educational and public awareness material, where possible in local languages, exchange and second experts to train personnel of affected developing country Parties in carrying out relevant education and awareness programmes, and fully utilize relevant educational material available in competent international bodies;
Art.19.3.e (e) assess educational needs in affected areas, elaborate appropriate school curricula and expand, as needed, educational and adult literacy programmes and opportunities for all, in particular for girls and women, on the identification, conservation and sustainable use and management of the natural resources of affected areas; and
Art.19.3.f (f) develop interdisciplinary participatory programmes integrating desertification and drought awareness into educational systems and in non-formal, adult, distance and practical educational programmes.
Art.20.1 1. Given the central importance of financing to the achievement of the objective of the Convention, the Parties, taking into account their capabilities, shall make every effort to ensure that adequate financial resources are available for programmes to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.
Art.20.2 2. In this connection, developed country Parties, while giving priority to affected African country Parties without neglecting affected developing country Parties in other regions, in accordance with article 7, undertake to:
Art.20.2.a (a) mobilize substantial financial resources, including grants and concessional loans, in order to support the implementation of programmes to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought;
Art.20.2.b (b) promote the mobilization of adequate, timely and predictable financial resources, including new and additional funding from the Global Environment Facility of the agreed incremental costs of those activities concerning desertification that relate to its four focal areas, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Instrument establishing the Global Environment Facility;
Art.20.2.c (c) facilitate through international cooperation the transfer of technology, knowledge and know-how; and
Art.20.3 3. Affected developing country Parties, taking into account their capabilities, undertake to mobilize adequate financial resources for the implementation of their national action programmes.
Art.20.4 4. In mobilizing financial resources, the Parties shall seek full use and continued qualitative improvement of all national, bilateral and multilateral funding sources and mechanisms, using consortia, joint programmes and parallel financing, and shall seek to involve private sector funding sources and mechanisms, including those of non-governmental organizations. To this end, the Parties shall fully utilize the operational mechanisms developed pursuant to article 14.
Art.20.5 5. In order to mobilize the financial resources necessary for affected developing country Parties to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought, the Parties shall:
Art.20.5.a (a) rationalize and strengthen the management of resources already allocated for combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought by using them more effectively and efficiently, assessing their successes and shortcomings, removing hindrances to their effective use and, where necessary, reorienting programmes in light of the integrated long-term approach adopted pursuant to this Convention;
Art.20.5.b (b) give due priority and attention within the governing bodies of multilateral financial institutions, facilities and funds, including regional development banks and funds, to supporting affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, in activities which advance implementation of the Convention, notably action programmes they undertake in the framework of regional implementation annexes; and
Art.20.5.c (c) examine ways in which regional and subregional cooperation can be strengthened to support efforts undertaken at the national level.
Art.20.6 6. Other Parties are encouraged to provide, on a voluntary basis, knowledge, know-how and techniques related to desertification and/ or financial resources to affected developing country Parties.
Art.21.1 1. The Conference of the Parties shall promote the availability of financial mechanisms and shall encourage such mechanisms to seek to maximize the availability of funding for affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, to implement the Convention. To this end, the Conference of the Parties shall consider for adoption inter alia approaches and policies that:
Art.21.1.a (a) facilitate the provision of necessary funding at the national, subregional, regional and global levels for activities pursuant to relevant provisions of the Convention;
Art.21.1.b (b) promote multiple-source funding approaches, mechanisms and arrangements and their assessment, consistent with article
Art.21.1.c (c) provide on a regular basis, to interested Parties and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, information on available sources of funds and on funding patterns in order to facilitate coordination among them;
Art.21.1.d (d) facilitate the establishment, as appropriate, of mechanisms, such as national desertification funds, including those involving the participation of non-governmental organizations, to channel financial resources rapidly and efficiently to the local level in affected developing country Parties; and
Art.21.1.e (e) strengthen existing funds and financial mechanisms at the subregional and regional levels, particularly in Africa, to support more effectively the implementation of the Convention.
Art.21.2 2. The Conference of the Parties shall also encourage the provision, through various mechanisms within the United Nations system and through multilateral financial institutions, of support at the national, subregional and regional levels to activities that enable developing country Parties to meet their obligations under the Convention.
Art.21.3 3. Affected developing country Parties shall utilize, and where necessary, establish and/ or strengthen, national coordinating mechanisms, integrated in national development programmes, that would ensure the efficient use of all available financial resources. They shall also utilize participatory processes involving non-governmental organizations, local groups and the private sector, in raising funds, in elaborating as well as implementing programmes and in assuring access to funding by groups at the local level. These actions can be enhanced by improved coordination and flexible programming on the part of those providing assistance.
Art.21.4 4. In order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing financial mechanisms, a Global Mechanism to promote actions leading to the mobilization and channelling of substantial financial resources, including for the transfer of technology, on a grant basis, and/ or on concessional or other terms, to affected developing country Parties, is hereby established. This Global Mechanism shall function under the authority and guidance of the Conference of the Parties and be accountable to it.
Art.21.6 6. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first session, make appropriate arrangements with the organization it has identified to house the Global Mechanism for the administrative operations of such Mechanism, drawing to the extent possible on existing budgetary and human resources.
Art.21.7 7. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its third ordinary session, review the policies, operational modalities and activities of the Global Mechanism accountable to it pursuant to paragraph 4, taking into account the provisions of article 7. On the basis of this review, it shall consider and take appropriate action.
Sect.4 PART IV
Art.22 Article 22
Art.22.1 1. A Conference of the Parties is hereby established.
Art.22.2 2. The Conference of the Parties is the supreme body of the Convention. It shall make, within its mandate, the decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation. In particular, it shall:
Art.22.2.a (a) regularly review the implementation of the Convention and the functioning of its institutional arrangements in the light of the experience gained at the national, subregional, regional and international levels and on the basis of the evolution of scientific and technological knowledge;
Art.22.2.c (c) establish such subsidiary bodies as are deemed necessary for the implementation of the Convention;
Art.22.2.d (d) review reports submitted by its subsidiary bodies and provide guidance to them;
Art.22.2.e (e) agree upon and adopt, by consensus, rules of procedure and financial rules for itself and any subsidiary bodies;
Art.22.2.f (f) adopt amendments to the Convention pursuant to articles 30 and 31;
Art.22.2.g (g) approve a programme and budget for its activities, including those of its subsidiary bodies, and undertake necessary arrangements for their financing;
Art.22.2.h (h) as appropriate, seek the cooperation of, and utilize the services of and information provided by, competent bodies or agencies, whether national or international, intergovernmental or non-governmental;
Art.22.2.i (i) promote and strengthen the relationship with other relevant conventions while avoiding duplication of effort; and
Art.22.2.j (j) exercise such other functions as may be necessary for the achievement of the objective of the Convention.
Art.22.3 3. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first session, adopt its own rules of procedure, by consensus, which shall include decision-making procedures for matters not already covered by decision-making procedures stipulated in the Convention. Such procedures may include specified majorities required for the adoption of particular decisions.
Art.22.4 4. The first session of the Conference of the Parties shall be convened by the interim secretariat referred to in article 35 and shall take place not later than one year after the date of entry into force of the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the Conference of the Parties, the second, third and fourth ordinary sessions shall be held yearly, and thereafter, ordinary sessions shall be held every two years.
Art.22.5 5. Extraordinary sessions of the Conference of the Parties shall be held at such other times as may be decided either by the Conference of the Parties in ordinary session or at the written request of any Party, provided that, within three months of the request being communicated to the Parties by the Permanent Secretariat, it is supported by at least one third of the Parties.
Art.22.6 6. At each ordinary session, the Conference of the Parties shall elect a Bureau. The structure and functions of the Bureau shall be determined in the rules of procedure. In appointing the Bureau, due regard shall be paid to the need to ensure equitable geographical distribution and adequate representation of affected country Parties, particularly those in Africa.
Art.22.7 7. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and any State member thereof or observers thereto not Party to the Convention, may be represented at sessions of the Conference of the Parties as observers. Any body or agency, whether national or international, governmental or non-governmental, which is qualified in matters covered by the Convention, and which has informed the Permanent Secretariat of its wish to be represented at a session of the Conference of the Parties as an observer, may be so admitted unless at least one third of the Parties present object. The admission and participation of observers shall be subject to the rules of procedure adopted by the Conference of the Parties.
Art.22.8 8. The Conference of the Parties may request competent national and international organizations which have relevant expertise to provide it with information relevant to article 16, paragraph (g), article 17, paragraph 1 (c) and article 18, paragraph 2( b).
Art.23 Article 23
Art.23.1 1. A Permanent Secretariat is hereby established.
Art.23.2 2. The functions of the Permanent Secretariat shall be:
Art.23.2.a (a) to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and to provide them with services as required;
Art.23.2.b (b) to compile and transmit reports submitted to it;
Art.23.2.e (e) to enter, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties, into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions;
Art.23.2.f (f) to prepare reports on the execution of its functions under this Convention and present them to the Conference of the Parties; and
Art.23.2.g (g) to perform such other secretariat functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties.
Art.23.3 3. The Conference of the Parties, at its first session, shall designate a Permanent Secretariat and make arrangements for its functioning.
Art.24 Article 24
Art.24.1 1. A Committee on Science and Technology is hereby established as a subsidiary body of the Conference of the Parties to provide it with information and advice on scientific and technological matters relating to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. The Committee shall meet in conjunction with the ordinary sessions of the Conference of the Parties and shall be multidisciplinary and open to the participation of all Parties. It shall be composed of government representatives competent in the relevant fields of expertise. The Conference of the Parties shall decide, at its first session, on the terms of reference of the Committee.
Art.25.1 1. The Committee on Science and Technology shall, under the supervision of the Conference of the Parties, make provision for the undertaking of a survey and evaluation of the relevant existing networks, institutions, agencies and bodies willing to become units of a network. Such a network shall support the implementation of the Convention.
Sect.5 PART V
Art.26 Article 26
Art.26.1 1. Each Party shall communicate to the Conference of the Parties for consideration at its ordinary sessions, through the Permanent Secretariat, reports on the measures which it has taken for the implementation of the Convention. The Conference of the Parties shall determine the timetable for submission and the format of such reports.
Art.26.2 2. Affected country Parties shall provide a description of the strategies established pursuant to article 5 and of any relevant information on their implementation.
Art.26.3 3. Affected country Parties which implement action programmes pursuant to articles 9 to 15 shall provide a detailed description of the programmes and of their implementation.
Art.26.4 4. Any group of affected country Parties may make a joint communication on measures taken at the subregional and/ or regional levels in the framework of action programmes.
Art.26.5 5. Developed country Parties shall report on measures taken to assist in the preparation and implementation of action programmes, including information on the financial resources they have provided, or are providing, under the Convention.
Art.26.6 6. Information communicated pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 4 shall be transmitted by the Permanent Secretariat as soon as possible to the Conference of the Parties and to any relevant subsidiary body.
Art.27.1x The Conference of the Parties shall consider and adopt procedures and institutional mechanisms for the resolution of questions that may arise with regard to the implementation of the Convention.
Art.28 Article 28
Art.28.1 1. Parties shall settle any dispute between them concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention through negotiation or other peaceful means of their own choice.
Art.28.2 2. When ratifying, accepting, approving, or acceding to the Convention, or at any time thereafter, a Party which is not a regional economic integration organization may declare in a written instrument submitted to the Depositary that, in respect of any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, it recognizes one or both of the following means of dispute settlement as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting the same obligation:
Art.28.2.a (a) arbitration in accordance with procedures adopted by the Conference of the Parties in an annex as soon as practicable;
Art.28.2.b (b) submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice.
Art.28.3 3. A Party which is a regional economic integration organization may make a declaration with like effect in relation to arbitration in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 2 (a).
Art.28.4 4. A declaration made pursuant to paragraph 2 shall remain in force until it expires in accordance with its terms or until three months after written notice of its revocation has been deposited with the Depositary.
Art.28.5 5. The expiry of a declaration, a notice of revocation or a new declaration shall not in any way affect proceedings pending before an arbitral tribunal or the International Court of Justice unless the Parties to the dispute otherwise agree.

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