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http://tkbulletin.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/tk-at-unccd-8-meeting-review/

TK at UNCCD-8 - Meeting Review

Posted by Kirsty Galloway McLean

Eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP-8)
Sixth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC-6)
Eighth session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST-8)
3 September - 14 September 2007 (Madrid, Spain)

Extracted from the ENB Summary

COP-8 was expected to be a pivotal meeting in the Convention’s history, given both its development of a ten-year strategic plan and its focus on elements related to its institutional structure, and the formats of the CRIC and CST to provide new guidance and opportunities for the Convention to achieve its objectives. Negotiations on most elements proceeded slowly but constructively, with delegates indicating overall satisfaction with the outcomes. However, the decision on programme and budget was not adopted, leaving parties uncertain about how the reforms adopted in Madrid will be implemented.

 

The priority theme for the CST was Effects of Climatic Variations and Human Activities on Land Degradation: Assessment, Field Experience Gained, and Integration of Mitigation and Adaptation Practices for Livelihood Improvement. During the discussion, the importance of traditional and local knowledge in identifying strategies to combat desertification was emphasised.

 

The CST considered the final report of the Group of Experts, including the Identification of perceived gaps between biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural knowledge and activities to combat desertification, their causes and ways of eliminating them under the item on Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the CST, containing recommendations to promote demand-driven science and technology transfer. Italy noted its creation of a traditional knowledge center. Several parties emphasized the lack of resources for acquiring and disseminating traditional and modern knowledge and for technology transfer. Traditional knowledge ownership rights and the intellectual property rights associated with technology transfer were highlighted, and NGOs stressed the need to involve communities throughout the project cycle. In the COP’s decision on this item, it took note of the final report, and encouraged parties to consider and use, as appropriate, the final report in the implementation of the National Action Programmes (NAPs).

 

Management of TK was also considered during the discussions on the CST programme of work. The COP decided that the CST-9 priority theme will be Bio-physical and socio-economic monitoring and assessment of desertification and land degradation, to support decision-making in land and water management.

 

Read the ENB summary of UNCCD-8…
Visit the UNCCD COP-8 Site…