The Salle de Plenaire during the opening ceremony

In his opening remarks, Hama Arba Diallo, CCD Executive Secretary, noted that the objectives of the Convention are geared to the fundamental needs of people and especially the poorest (English translation)

President Abdou Diouf addressing the delegates and guests during the opening ceremony.

Abdou Diouf, President of the Republic of Senegal, welcomed participants and thanked them for deciding to convene COP-2 in Senegal, on Sahelian soil, which he said was an honor to Senegal and to Africa (in French)

 

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Nitin Desai, on behalf of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, highlighted three dimensions in which the CCD exemplifies and follows-up on Rio (in English)

Delegates elected Souty Tour� (pictured here second from the right), Senegal's Minister of Environment and Protection of Nature, as COP-2 President

Executive Secretary Diallo (far left) introduced the documents prepared for COP-2 and reported on recent meetings and workshops, including an interregional forum (in French)

Masse Lo (ENDA, far left), on behalf of the NGO community, said the adoption of Decision 27/COP.1, which provides for two half-days of dialogue between NGOs and the COP as part of the official programme of work, is a sign of the Parties� commitment to partnership and a new challenge for NGOs (in French)