India to host UN-conference highlighting land degradation, desertification in October
India will host the 14th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) this year to address the issue of land degradation and desertification. A source close to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said today the conference of the UNCCD, which has participation from over 100 countries, is likely to be held in October.
UNCCD working towards maintaining, restoring land and soil productivity
The UNCCD, established in 1994, has 197 parties working towards maintaining and restoring land and soil productivity and mitigating the effects of drought. Gaurav Khare, the ministry spokesperson, said hosting this conference will be a "prestigious moment for the country".
Government committed to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030
"India's commitment to SDG 15 (life on land) is in coherence to the PM's vision for doubling the income of farmers by 2022," Khare said. "SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 15 addressing land issues is concomitant to climate change, poverty, food security, clean water and sanitation and gender equality, livelihood," he said. Khare said the government is committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.
Government also plans to launch various transformative projects, said official
By hosting the COP-14 it aims to showcase its role as a leader in addressing the land agenda, said the spokesperson. The government is also in the process of launching transformative projects, policy formulation, research, and development in the area of sustainable land management to address the issues of land degradation, desertification, drought, and dust storms, the source said.
