14th Conference of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concludes
The 14th Conference of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was officially kicked off on 2 September in New Delhi, India concluded today, 13th September. In this international event, 11 high-level, 30 committees and over 170 stakeholder meetings and 44 exhibitions were conducted.
Asmara, 14 September 2019 – The 14th Conference of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was officially kicked off on 2 September in New Delhi, India concluded today, 13th September. In this international event, 11 high-level, 30 committees and over 170 stakeholder meetings and 44 exhibitions were conducted.
According to recent reports, more than 9000 participants representing 197 country parties, government and non-governmental institutions, scientific institutes as well as other concerned individuals and activists attended the conference.
The Eritrean delegation headed by Mr. Huruy Asghedom, D.G. of Agricultural Extension Department, that attended at the conference met and held talks with the Executive Secretary of UNCCD, Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw on 12th September focusing on Eritrea’s endeavors towards combating land degradation as well as reinforcing collaboration with relevant development partners. Introduction of Solar Powered Stove, Watershed management and the Minimum Integrated Household Agricultural Package (MIHAP) were among the main discussion areas with the executive secretary. In addition, as per an official request by the UNCCD office, the delegation handed over a painting entitled: ‘Eritrea’s balanced vision’ to the Executive Secretary to be put in the UNCCD headquarters based in Bonn, Germany, as part of the office’s country parties heritage.
During the two weeks 14th Conference of Parties of the UNCCD, country parties discussed the current desertification, land degradation and drought situation and adopted possible scientific solutions. Moreover, various good practices and technologies that would enable the world to combat desertification were exhibited.
According to the report, the country parties yesterday, 13 September, adopted ‘New Delhi Declaration to combat land degradation. It was highlighted by the UNCCD executive secretary that land restoration is one of the cheapest solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss and multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, addressing drought and its risks as well as promoting people centered land policies were among the focus areas of the declaration.
It is to be recalled that Eritrea’s Art and Audio-visual exhibition got utmost appreciation by high ranking officials and visitors for it combined art and applied sciences.