By its decision
13/COP.8, the Conference of the Parties (COP) decided that each future ordinary session of the CST shall be organized in a predominantly scientific and technical conference-style format by the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) Bureau in consultation with the lead institution/consortium, which is qualified in and has expertise in the relevant thematic topic selected by the COP.
The sessions will focus each time on a specific thematic topic (determined in advance), relevant to the implementation of The Strategy. In relation to the priority theme, the CST provides interaction with delegates and develops and makes recommendations, with the lead institution/consortium submitting a report to the COP.
Each ordinary session Includes presentations by other institutions, other environmental conventions, NGOs and individuals with experience of the thematic topic concerned, as decided upon by the Bureau of the CST in consultation with the lead institution/consortium, ensuring that there is a global call thereby giving every opportunity for contributions from all regions.
Following this, the
UNCCD 1st Scientific Conference in 2009, in line with decision
18/COP.8, addressed the priority theme “Bio-physical and socio-economic monitoring and assessment of desertification and land degradation, to support decision-making in land and water management”.
Decision
16/COP.9 decides that the
UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference will be held in 2012 under the thematic topic of “Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas”.
Also the
UNCCD 3rd Scientific Conference, in line with decision
18/COP.10 is already on the agenda, planned to be held in 2014 with the specific thematic topic “Combating DLDD for poverty reduction and sustainable development: the contribution of science, technology, traditional knowledge and practices” to be considered.