FAO position paper
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1993
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(c) FAO 1993
"Land cannot be reclaimed or conserved through sporadic efforts or short-term projects; what are needed are long-term programmes, backed by sound land-use policies, and strategies to catalyse their development. To succeed, these programmes must be founded on the concept of participation; ultimately, African land can be conserved and rehabilitated only by those who make their living from it."
Edouard Saouma
Definition and general approach to the problem
How to define desertification
What lands and areas are prone to desertification?
What are the main causes of desertification?
What are the main consequences of desertification?
Understanding, monitoring and forecasting the processes of desertification
Assessment and monitoring of desertification processes
Strengthening basic knowledge of desertification processes
Strategy for combating desertification (and drought)
Guiding principles
Strategic objectives and components
Operational implementation
FAO's responsibilities and contributions to the fight against desertification
Past activities (1977-1992)
UNCED preparation and FAO follow-up
Creation of a general policy framework
Action plan: areas for concentrating efforts