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Highlights from Wednesday, 20 December
 The
Plenary convened all day to hear the last 32 statements in the
special segment on the implementation of the Convention from one
Prime Minister, and high-level officials and representatives of UN
bodies and specialized agencies, and to engage in a dialogue with
NGO’s. The ad hoc
working group on the review of CCD implementation (AHWG) met to
consider the Latin America and Caribbean and Northern Mediterranean
regional reports, and six country reports from Italy, Bolivia,
Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Portugal and Moldova
Above photo: UNFCCC
COP-6 President delivering his plenary statement
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Plenary:
Special segment on the implementation of the Convention
H.E. Prime Minister Caetano Inlchama (Guinea Bissau) in his plenary
speech, urged the Global Mechanism (GM) to step up efforts for CCD
financing and the GEF to strengthen support to the secretariat.
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UNFCCC COP-6 President, Jan Pronk (Netherlands) emphasized
the links between the Climate Change Convention and CCD
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*RealAudio of the Plenary Statements to follow soon
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The Hon. Pelokgale Seloma (Botswana) supported the
establishment of regional coordination units (RCUs) to advice
countries in technical matters and called for a GEF window to fund
CCD implementation.
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H.E. Mr. Izhar Ibrahim (Indonesia),
said it needed financial and technical support to improve
capacity for NAP activities.
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NGO
DIALOGUE
 The
second open dialogue with NGOs considered gender perspectives in
combating desertification. Opening the session, CCD Deputy
Executive Secretary Kalela noted that although women in
desertified areas are the hardest hit by desertification, there
is a large and growing presence of women decision-makers, who
could make policies to transform the reality of women in
drylands. Left photo: The dias during the ngo dialogue.
Right
photo:
Deputy Executive Secretary Aira Kalela in discussions
with NGO representatives
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AD
HOC WORKING GROUP ON IMPLEMENTATION:
NATIONAL REPORTS FROM THE LAC REGION
Mr. Octavio Perez Pardo (Argentina)
said its NAP was a
mechanism that enables decentralized coordination of national
activities, without establishing a large focal point. He said it
is a continuous process and has been revised to incorporate
lessons learned.
Mr. Marco Montoya Rivera (Bolivia) outlined the
institutional structure of its NAP, which focuses on awareness
raising, enhancing competencies of authorities, actor
participation and promotion of new economic activities.
Mar�a Urquiza Rodr�guez (Cuba) stressed maintaining
soil productivity, links to economic and social development and
community action, as relevant aspects of its efforts to combat
desertification.
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NATIONAL
REPORTS FROM THE NORTHERN MEDI�TERRANEAN REGION AND OTHERS
Mr. Victor Lauro (Portugal) noted water erosion, poor
agricultural practices, and abandonment of managed lands as
causes of land degradation. He highlighted the long NAP
development process in his country, and said there would be no
new sources of funding, but a reorienta�tion of existing ones.
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Dr. Valentin Sofroni (Moldova), highlighted its recent
NAP that includes provision for economic mechanisms, such as
credits and restructuring of the tax system, the integrated
management of soils, and anti-erosion and rehabilitation
measures. He also appealed for support for NAP implementation.
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