By resolution 49/239 of 23 December 1994, the General Assembly welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, and welcomed also the signing of the Convention in Paris on 14 and 15 October 1994 by a large number of States and one regional economic integration organization. The Convention entered into force on 26 December 1996, in accordance with its article 36, paragraph 1.

Desertification was identified as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and a request was made for the General Assembly to establish an “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa”. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was established by the General Assembly by resolution 47/188 of 22 December 1992. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee held five sessions in 1994 and the final draft text of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, was adopted on 17 June 1994.

The Convention contains forty articles, divided into six parts: Part I (introduction); Part II (general provisions); Part III (action programmes, scientific and technical cooperation and supporting measures); Part IV (institutions); Part V (procedures); and Part VI (final provisions). There are five regional implementation annexes to the Convention regarding Africa; Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Northern Mediterranean; and Central and Eastern Europe.

The issue of desertification became particularly acute due to the severe drought conditions in the Sudano-Sahelian regions which had reached catastrophic proportions in 1973. At its twenty-eighth session, in 1973, the General Assembly, by resolution 3054(XXVIII) of 17 October and resolution 3153 (XXVIII) of 28 November, noted with concern the great and disquieting magnitude of the effects of the drought and called upon assistance from the international community. In March 1974, at its second session, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) accorded priority to the establishment of integrated research programmes on arid and semi-arid lands, with particular attention to the Sudano-Sahelian region (decision 8 (II)).

At its twenty-ninth session, in 1974, the General Assembly adopted resolution 3337 (XXIX) of 17 December, by which the Assembly recalled, inter alia, its resolution 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974 and noted Economic and Social Council resolutions on the issue of desertification (resolution 1878 (LVII) and resolution 1898 (LVII)), decided as a matter of priority to initiate concerted international action to combat desertification, and to convene in 1977 a United Nations Conference on Desertification to give impetus to the international action to combat desertification.

The United Nations Conference on Desertification was convened in Nairobi from 29 August to 9 September 1977. A comprehensive Plan of Action to Combat Desertification (PACD) was adopted (Report of the Conference, A/CONF.74/36).

In 1977, at its sixty-third session, the Economic and Social Council, by its decision 285 (LXIII) of 17 October, transmitted the report of the Conference to the General Assembly.

At its thirty-second session, in 1977, the General Assembly adopted resolution 32/172 of 19 December, by which it approved the report of the Conference. The Assembly decided, inter alia, to entrust UNEP and the Environment Co-ordination Board with the task of following up and co-ordinating implementation of the Plan of Action. The Governing Council of UNEP was requested to report on follow-up action, through the Economic and Social Council, to the Assembly in 1978 and thereafter every two years. On the same day, by resolutions 32/169 and 32/170, the General Assembly recommended speedy implementation of the Conference’s resolution.

Between its thirty-third and forty-second sessions, the General Assembly, by several resolutions, took note of the reports of the UNEP Governing Council, and stressed the urgency of implementing the Plan of Action (resolutions 33/89 of 15 December 1978, 34/184 of 18 December 1979, 35/73 of 5 December 1980, 37/218 of 20 December 1982, 39/168 of 17 December 1984, and 42/189 A of 11 December 1987) and dealt with financing the Plan of Action (resolutions 36/191 of 17 December 1981, 37/220 of 20 December 1982, 38/163 of 19 December 1983, 40/198 of 17 December 1985, and 42/189 C of 11 December 1987)

At its forty-third and forty-fourth sessions, in 1988 and 1989 respectively, the General Assembly adopted resolutions 43/196 of 20 December 1988, 44/172 of 19 December and 44/228 of 22 December 1989, by which it decided, inter alia, to convene the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in June 1992, and established the Preparatory Committee for the conference. The Assembly invited the UNCED to accord high priority to desertification control and to deploy all means necessary to halt and reverse the process of desertification with a view to preserving the ecological balance of the planet.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held at Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. Desertification was addressed under chapter 12 of Agenda 21 at the 19th plenary meeting on 14 June 1992 (Report of the Conference, A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II)). A request was made for the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session to establish an “Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa” (INCD), with a view to finalizing such a convention by June 1994 (Report of the Conference, A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1(Vol.I); Report of the Secretary-General, Combating Desertification and Drought A/47/393).

At its forty-seventh session, in 1992, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of its Second Committee (A/47/719), adopted resolution 47/188 on 22 December, by which the Assembly established, inter alia, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which was open to participation by all Member States of the UN or members of the specialised agencies, as per the request suggested at UNCED.

The INCD, at its first session, held in Nairobi from 24 May to 3 June 1993, established two working groups. Working Group I was responsible for the elaboration of the introductory elements and Working Group II was responsible for the elaboration of the chapters on the Institutions and Administrative provisions (Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, A/48/226). The Committee also discussed the format and possible elements of the Convention (A/AC.241/7)

At the second session of the INCD, held at Geneva from 13 to 24 September 1993, the Chairmen of both Working Groups submitted summary reports on the nature of the various provisions of the convention (A/AC.241/WG.I/L.1 and A/AC.241/WG.II/L.1). As requested by the INCD in its first session, the Secretariat compiled, in a background negotiating document, written submissions from governments, including detailed drafting proposals, on the contents of an international convention to combat desertification (A/AC.241/12). The INCD further decided on the preparation of regional instruments focused on Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean (Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, A/48/226/Add.1).

At its forty-eighth session, in 1993, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of its Second Committee (A/48/725), adopted resolution 48/191 on 21 December, by which it urged the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to complete its negotiations by June 1994.

At the third session of the INCD, held at New York from 17 to 28 January 1994, both the Working Groups of the INCD focussed on the draft negotiating text of the convention (A/AC.241/WG.I/L.2 and A/AC.241/WG.II/L.2). As requested by the INCD at its second session, the Secretariat submitted a single negotiating text of the convention (A/AC.241/15 and Corr.1) and discussed the possible format and elements of a regional implementation annex for Africa (A/AC.241/17) (Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, A/49/84).

At its fourth session, held in Geneva from 21 to 31 March 1994, the INCD continued its discussions on the various provisions of the draft negotiating text of the convention (A/AC.241/15/Rev.1, A/AC.241/15/Rev.2, A/AC.241/15/Rev.3). In addition, Working Group II also considered the draft regional implementation annex for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the northern Mediterranean (A/AC.241/WG.II/L.3) (Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, A/49/84/Add.1).

The fifth and final session of the INCD was held in Paris from 6 to 17 June 1994. At its 11th meeting, on 17 June, the INCD considered and adopted the draft final text of the convention (A/AC.241/15/Rev.6) and the regional implementation annexes (A/AC.241/19/Rev.1, A/AC.241/24, A/AC.241/25 and A/AC.241/26). The text of the Convention was opened for signature in Paris on the 14 and 15 of October, 1994 (Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, A/49/84/Add.2).

At its forty-ninth session, in 1994, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of its Second Committee (A/49/729/Add.4), adopted resolution 49/234, by which the Assembly welcomed the adoption of the Convention on 17 June 1994 in Paris and also the signing of the Convention in Paris. The Convention entered into force on 26 December 1996, 90 days after the fiftieth ratification was received, as required by its article 36, paragraph 1.

General Assembly resolution 3054 (XXVIII) of 17 October 1973 (Consideration of the economic and social situation in the Sudano-Sahelian region stricken by the drought and measures to be taken for the benefit of that region)

General Assembly resolution 3153 (XXVIII) of 28 November 1973 (Aid to Sudano-Sahelian populations threatened with famine)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 2nd session, 11 to 22 March 1974 (A/9625)

Decision 8 (II) of 22 March 1974 adopted by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (Approval of activities within the environment programme, in the light, inter alia, of their implications for the Fund Programme)

General Assembly resolution 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974 (Programme of action on the establishment of a new international economic order)

Economic and Social Council resolution 1878 (LVII) of 16 July 1974 (The drought problem in Africa)

Economic and Social Council resolution 1898 (LVII) of 1 August 1974(World programme of development research and application of science and technology to solve the special problem of the arid area)

General Assembly resolution 3337 (XXIX) of 17 December 1974 (International cooperation to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 3rd session, 17 April to 2 May 1975 (A/10025)

General Assembly resolution 3511 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 (United Nations Conference on Desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 4th session, 30 March to 14 April 1976 (A/31/25)

General Assembly resolution 31/108 of 16 December 1976 (United Nations Conference on Desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 5th session, 9 to 25 May 1977 (A/32/25)

Report of the United Nations Conference on Desertification, 29 August to 9 September 1977 (A/CONF.74/36)

Economic and Social Council decision 285 (LXIII) of 17 October 1977 (United Nations Conference on Desertification)

General Assembly resolution 32/169 of 19 December 1977 (Implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Desertification with respect to financial and technical assistance to the least developed among the developing countries)

General Assembly resolution 32/170 of 19 December 1977 (Measures to be taken for the benefit of the Sudano-Sahelian region)

General Assembly resolution 32/172 of 19 December 1977 (United Nations Conference on Desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 6th session, 9 to 25 May 1978 (A/33/25)

General Assembly resolution 33/89 of 15 December 1978 (Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 7th session, 18 April to 4 May 1979 (A/34/25)

General Assembly resolution 34/184 of 18 December 1979 (Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 8th session, 16 to 29 April 1980 (A/35/25)

Economic and Social Council, resolution 1980/52 of 23 July 1980 (Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

General Assembly resolution 35/73 of 5 December 1980 (Implementation of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 9th session, 13 to 26 May 1981 (A/36/25)

Economic and Social Council, resolution 1981/72 of 24 July 1981 (Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

General Assembly resolution 36/191 of 17 December 1981 (Study on financing the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Economic and Social Council, resolution 1982/55 of 29 July 1982 (Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 10th session, Session of a Special Character, 27 August 1982 (A/37/25)

General Assembly resolution 37/218 of 20 December 1982 (Implementation of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

General Assembly resolution 37/220 of 20 December 1982 (Study on financing the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 11th session, 11 to 24 May, 1983 (A/38/25)

General Assembly resolution 38/163 of 19 December 1983 (Study on financing the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 12th session, 16 to 29 May 1984 (A/39/25)

Economic and Social Council, resolution 1984/65 of 26 July 1984 (Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to combat desertification)

General Assembly resolution 39/168 of 17 December 1984 (Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 13th session, 14 to 24 May 1985 (A/40/25)

General Assembly resolution 40/198 A of 17 December 1985 (Plan of Action to combat desertification)

Economic and Social Council, resolution 1986/44 of 21 July 1986 (Countries stricken by desertification and drought in Africa)

Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on work of its 14th session, 8 to 19 June 1987 (A/42/25+ Corr.1)

General Assembly resolution 42/189 of 11 December 1987 (Plan of Action to combat desertification)

General Assembly resolution 43/196 of 20 December 1988 (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development)

General Assembly resolution 44/172 of 19 December 1989 (Plan of Action to Combat Desertification)

General Assembly resolution 44/228 of 22 December 1989 (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development)

Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 3 to 14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol.I))

Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 3 to 14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol.II))

Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 3 to 14 June 1992 A/CONF.151/26/Rev. 1 (Vol. III))

Report of the Secretary-General, Combating Desertification and Drought, 3 September 1992 (A/47/393)

Report of the Second Committee to the General Assembly, 47th session, 18 December 1992 (A/47/719)

General Assembly resolution 47/188 of 22 December 1992 (Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating committee for the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa)

Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (hereinafter the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee), First session, 24 May to 3 June, 1993 (A/48/226)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, First Session, Format and possible elements of the Convention, 23 April 1993 (A/AC.241/7)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Second Session, Compilation of Government Views, Statements and Drafting Proposals, 23 August 1993 (A/AC.241/12)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Second Session, Draft report of Working Group I, 21 September 1993 (A/AC.241/WG.I/L.1)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Second Session, Draft report of Working Group II, 21 September 1993 (A/AC.241/WG.II/L.1)

Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Second session, 13 to 24 September 1993 (A/48/226/Add.1)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third Session, Negotiating Text of the Convention, 19 November 1993 (A/AC.241/15)

Report of the Second Committee to the General Assembly, 48th session, 17 December 1993 (A/48/725)

General Assembly resolution 48/191 of 21 December 1993 (Elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third Session, Negotiating Text of the Convention, 7 January 1994 (A/AC.241/15/Corr.1)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third Session, Possible Format and Elements of a Regional Implementation Annex for Africa, 17 January 1994 (A/AC.241/17)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third session, Draft report of Working Group I, 17 to 28 January 1994 (A/AC.241/WG.I/L.2)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third session, Draft report of Working Group II, 17 – 28 January 1994 (A/AC.241/WG.II/L.2)

Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Third session, 17 – 28 January 1994 (A/49/84)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth Session, Revised Negotiating Text of the Convention of 28 January 1994 (A/AC.241/15/Rev.1)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth Session, Revised Negotiating Text of the Convention as of 29 March 1994 (A/AC.241/15/Rev.2)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth session, Draft report of Working Group I, 28 March 1994 (A/AC.241/WG.I/L.3)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth session, Draft report of Working Group II, 28 March 1994 (A/AC.241/WG.II/L.3)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth Session, Negotiating Text of a Regional Implementation Annex for Africa, 9 March 1994 (A/AC.241/19)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth Session, Final Negotiating Text of the Convention, 31 March 1994 (A/AC.241/15/Rev.3)

Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fourth session, 21 to 31 March 1994 (A/49/84/Add.1)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth Session, Final Negotiating Text of the Convention (A/AC.241/15/Rev.6)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth Session, Negotiating text of the regional implementation annex for Latin America and the Caribbean, 19 May 1994 (A/AC.241/24)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth Session, Negotiating text of the regional implementation annex for Asia, 19 May 1994 (A/AC.241/25)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth Session, Negotiating text for the northern Mediterranean, 19 May 1994 (A/AC.241/26)

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth Session, Final negotiating text of a regional implementation annex for Africa, 11 April 1994 (A/AC.241/19/Rev.1)

Report of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Fifth session, 6 to 17 June 1994 (A/49/84/Add.2)

Report of the Second Committee (Part V) to the General Assembly, 49th session, 9 December 1994 (A/49/729/Add.4)

General Assembly resolution 49/234 of 23 December 1994, (Elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa)

For the current participation status of the Convention, as well as information and relevant texts of related treaty actions, such as reservations, declarations, objections, denunciations and notifications, see

The Status of Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General