High-level Events

• MDGs
• Biodiversity
• Small island developing States (SIDS)
• HIV/AIDS
• Youth

Other Main Issues

• Sustainable Development
• Security Council Reform
• GA Revitalization
• Human Rights Council Review
• Review of the GA Res 61/16
• Peacebuilding Commission Review

Preparations for 66th Session High-level Events

• Non-communicable Diseases
• Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought
• Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

High-level Meeting on Desertification

Background

In December 2010, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on “Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa” (A/RES/65/160) and decided to convene a High-level Meeting on the theme Addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication on 20 September 2011.

Taking place in the context of the UN Decade for Deserts and the Fights against Desertification (2010-2020), the high-level meeting aims to raise awareness of desertification, land degradation and drought at the highest level. It also seeks to contribute to the preparation of the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012 (Rio+20).

Programme

Tuesday, 20 September 2010

• Opening Plenary Meeting (speakers as contained in resolution 65/160)

1. President of the General Assembly
2. Secretary-General
3. Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
4. President of the 9th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (Argentina)
5. President of the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (Republic of Korea)
6. Group of 77 and China
7. European Union
8. Group of African States
   And other Member States, in accordance with UN protocol

• Morning Interactive Panel on the same theme as the high-level meeting
  - Co-chairs to be determined in consultation with Member States
• Afternoon Interactive Panel on the same theme as the high-level meeting
  - Co-chairs to be determined in consultation with Member States
• Closing Plenary Meeting

Key Documents

• Letter dated 22 July to all Permanent Missions and Permanent Observer Missions to the United Nations transmitting a note on the organizational aspects of the high-level meetings in September.
• Note by the Secretary-General on the High-level meeting on addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication

Resources

• UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa
• Schedule of the high-level week, 66th session of the General Assembly

Contact Information

• For civil society participation, please refer to the following document or contact Mr. Marcos Montoiro, NGO and Civil Society Liaison Officer, UNCCD-Secretariat <MMontoiro@ unccd.int>
• Office of the President of the General Assembly: Ms. Hyun Sung <sungh@un.org>
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification, New York Liaison Office: Ms. Nandhini Krishna <krishna1@un.org>