The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only international treaty linking environment and development to sustainable land management. There are 197 Parties to the UNCCD, which ratified the Convention in 2000.
For Australia, the UNCCD is relevant across several issues where we have domestic and international interests. This includes:
- desertification
- land degradation and restoration
- sustainable development
- sustainable land management
- drought resilience
- adaptation to climate change.
The Conference of the Parties (COP)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main decision making body for the UNCCD. The COP ensures that the Convention responds to global needs and challenges.
The COP meets every 2 years. The 17th meeting of the COP took place in Ulaanbattar, Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026. The meeting agreed 34 decisions to:
- invest in land restoration efforts and reduce land degradation impacts
- increase engagement with the private sector
- continue the progress of activities of the Intergovernmental Working Group for the Future Strategic Framework of the Convention
- encourage relevant land tenure considerations into plans and activities to combat desertification, land degradation and drought.
- continue the work of the Conventions Science-Policy Interface.
The 18th meeting of the COP will be held in 2028 in Egypt.
Learn more about the Conference of the Parties (COP).
National reporting
The UNCCD’s success relies on reliable, up-to-date information on:
- desertification
- land degradation
- drought.
Every 4 years, Parties must report on the actions they have undertaken to implement the UNCCD. The report provides information on the results Parties have achieved and challenges they have faced along the way.
Australia completed its latest national report in 2022. The next report is due in 2026-2027.
Learn more about the UNCCD national reporting process.