BACKGROUND

Developed as a result of the Rio Summit that was held in 1992, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a unique instrument that has brought attention of land degradation to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and people in the world. Twelve years after coming into force the UNCCD benefits from the largest membership of the three Rio Conventions and is increasingly recognised as an instrument, which can make an important contribution to the achievement of sustainable development, poverty reduction and human security.

For much of the previous century, the world has been undergoing a paradigm shift that sees security expanding beyond the notion of protecting sovereign nations from hostile acts. The issue of security is now a more encompassing notion of assuring people the freedom from want and recognising sustainable development as part of this process.

Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) threaten this broader perspective of human security by reducing food production capacities, liming access to water, depriving and hampering their means for economic activities and livelihoods. It is evident that failing policies and climatic change, among other things are putting more pressure than ever on soil. As a consequence, when secure water and food supplies cannot be guaranteed, people frequently migrate to areas where they believe they can find them. The most recent estimates put the number of the environmentally displaced people from between 17 and 24 million people around the world. It is also projected that for the period leading up to the year 2050, there will be 200 million environmentally induced migrants which should be cause for concern and necessitating global action.

The effects of drought and the implementation of the UNCCD in those countries experiencing serious drought and/ or desertification, particularly in Africa, are virtually one and the same due to the social and economic importance of natural resources and agriculture. Combating desertification therefore needs to be recognized as an entry point to address poverty reduction and ecosystem protection. If these important concepts are fully recognized, it is a natural consequence that soil and water security will become part of the national and international development policies and this will also help in giving soil and water the attention it deserves.

In September 1997, South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification. The UNCCD provides the framework for countries affected by desertification to address the problem of land degradation effectively on a national level. Therefore, it is important for South Africa to join the community of nations that are Parties to the UNCCD to commemorate the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) which is held on 17th June of every year, the day the UNCCD was adopted.

The promotion of action to implement the UNCCD requires public awareness at local, national, sub-regional and international levels. Accordingly, resolution 49 of the 92nd Plenary meeting of the UNCCD invited all party countries states to devote the WDCD to promote public awareness through organizing activities such as conferences, round-table meetings, seminars and exhibitions relating to cooperation to combat desertification.

Land degradation and desertification does not happen in isolation but integrated into other programmes. Thus, the implementation of the UNCCD-NAP requires partnerships within the spheres of government, development financial institutions, the private sector, research and academic institutions, NGOs as well as civil society at large. In South Africa, the implementation of the NAP is dependent on initiatives and programmes like the Working for Water, Working on Fire, Working for Wetlands, LandCare, Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), People and Parks, Desert Margins Programme and other transboundary initiatives. Therefore, partnerships with other stakeholders including but not limited to private sector, academia and civil society are essential for the implementation of the National Action Programme (NAP) related projects in South Africa.

To encourage such partnerships, the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has established “Rehabilitation of Drylands for Poverty Alleviation Desertification Account” with the view of channelling private sector financial support towards the implementation of the government’s National Action Programme to Combat Desertification and address poverty.

PROGRAMME 17-18 JUNE 2009 Birchwood Hotel, View Point Street, Bartlett, Boksburg (near OR Tambo International Airport) Day one: Programme Director: Ms Carmel Mbivzo 09:00 – 10:00 Registration and Refreshment All 10:00 – 10:30 Welcome and Purpose of the workshop Ms Carmel Mbivzo Setting the Scene - Mr Fundisile Mketeni 10:30 – 10:50 “Conserving land and water, securing our common future” Mr Fundisile Mketeni 10:50 – 11:00 Status of implementation of UNCCD in South Africa: Overview of the Fourth Country Report Mr Muleso Kharika Theme 1: Research Trends – Facilitated by Mr Muleso Kharika 11:00 – 11:20 Research trends on desertification, land degradation and mitigating the effects of drought Prof Klaus Kellner 11:20 – 11:35 Emerging desertification research in light of climate change: An overview on CSIR work activities Mr Graham Von Maltitz 11:35 – 11:50 Overview of LADA and status of land degradation in South Africa Mr Dirk Pretorious 11:50 – 12:00 Discussions All Theme 2: National policies and programmes to combat desertification, land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought – Facilitated by Ms Maria Mbengashe 12:00 – 12:10 DEAT perspective Ms Thizwilondi Mulaudzi 12:10 – 12:20 Agriculture perspective   12:20 – 12:30 Land Affairs perspective Mr Thozi Gwanya 12:30 – 12:40 SANBI perspective Ms Camel Mbivzo 12:40 – 12:50 Working for Water perspective Dr Guy Preston 12:50 – 13:00 Water Affairs perspective Dr Sizwe Mkhize LUNCH (13:15 – 14:00) Theme 3: Resource mobilisation, stakeholder communication and participation – Facilitated by Ms Camel Mbivzo 14:00 – 14:15 Mainstreaming and mobilising resources Ms Julie Clarke 14:15 – 14:25 Civil society perspective in mainstreaming desertification and land degradation: EMG Perspective Mr Noel Ottle 14:25 – 14:35 Civil society perspective in mainstreaming desertification and land degradation: Resource Africa Mr Kule Chitepo 14:35 – 14:45 Stakeholders participation: A small scale farmer’s perspective Ms Linda Nghatsane 14:45 – 15:00 Enhancing communication and public awareness Ms Khamarunga Banda 15:00 – 15:20 Discussions All 15:20 – 15:30 Synopsis of themes discussions Dr James Gambiza 15:30 – 15:40 Terms of Reference for break away sessions Mr Muleso Kharika TEA BREAK (15:40 – 16:00) 16:00 – 17:00 Break away sessions All BANQUET 17:00 – 18:00 Entertainment Gabomotho Cultural Dance Group 18:00 – 18:10 Welcome Mayor 18:10 – 18:20 Opening remarks and introduction of key note speakers Mr Fundisile Mketeni 18:20 – 18:30 Entertainment Gabomotho Cultural Dance Group 18:30 – 19:00 Key note address Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi 19:00 – 20:00 GALA Dinner and entertainment All Day two Programme Director: Ms Wadzi Mandinvenyi 08:30 – 10:00 Break away sessions continue All TEA BREAK (15:40 – 16:00) Report back and way forward facilitated by Ms Wadzi Mandinvenyi 10:30 – 11:00 Theme 1: Research Trends Theme Rapporteur 11:00 – 11:30 Theme 2: National policies and programmes Theme Rapporteur 11:30 – 12:00 Theme 3: Resource mobilisation, stakeholder communication and participation Theme Rapporteur 12:00 – 12:15 Synopsis of theme reports Dr James Gambiza 12:15 – 12:30 Adoption of workshop report and way forward Ms Wadzi Mandivenyi

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