Desertification, or land degradation in arid, semi-arid, dry sub-humid
areas, is a worldwide problem directly linked with poverty, hunger and
forced migration that affects two thirds of the world?s agricultural land
where the world?s poorest reside. As a consequence of land degradation,
arable land per person is shrinking, threatening food security. Since 1990,
ten million hectares of productive land are being lost every year due to
land degradation whereas 70% of the poorest 1.2 billion in the world live
in rural areas. Already 135 million people are at risk of being forcibly
displaced due to desertification worldwide, triggering conflicts over
scarce resources. If left unchecked, this situation is expected to
generate a flow of some 25 million environmental refugees from sub-Saharan
Africa only, some 25 million environmental refugees are expected ,in the
next twenty years.

The UNCCD is the only legally binding universal instrument to address this
growing global threat. It entered into force in 1996 and as at April 2003,
it already has counts 186 country Parties to the Convention. It has
reached maturity and is starting to bear fruits with successful projects
and initiatives being identified in all parts of the world.
Representatives to the sessions will have the opportunity in Havana, to
share diverse points of views on the shortcomings and success stories to
improve the implementation of the Convention. The sessions will culminate
with decisions being made in a set of recommendations and a final report,
which will serve as the blueprint for concrete actions in the next
biennium.

A New Financial Mechanism

Furthermore, during COP6, a new and crucial financial mechanism is expected
to come into effect be adopted. Country Parties are expected to endorse
the decision by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multi-billion
dollar global fund for the environment, to designate land degradation as
its fifth focal area and to become a financial mechanism of the Convention.
This will mark a milestone in the fight against desertification, as such
arrangements are expected to provide critical impetus to the implementation
of the Convention, which had hitherto been largely hampered due to
financial constraints.

We encourage you to join these important events that will determine the
future of many people living in dryland rural areas. The sessions will
provide many opportunities to meet with world leaders and desertification
experts.

For Media Accreditation, kindly refer to the detailed and very important
explanations attached and our website at www.unccd.int.
http://www.unccd.int/cop/cop6/menu.php

(See attached file: media accreditation-let.doc)(See attached file:
accreditationForm.rtf)(See attached file: planilla.doc)

Cheemin Gloria Kwon
Associate Public Information Officer
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Martin-Luther-King Str. 8
Bonn 53175, GERMANY
Tel: (49-228) 815-2847
Fax: (49-228) 815-2899
Email: ckwon@unccd.int