New CRIC Bureau meets online for the first time

14 April 2020
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As the world enters the fourth month of the corona crisis, the new Bureau of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) met online, with members dialing in from different corners of the world to represent five regional UNCCD annexes.

The Bureau reviewed the CRIC work programme for the 2020-2021 biennium, including relevant decisions adopted at the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 14) and related activities undertaken by the Secretariat and the Global Mechanism (GM).

The Bureau also assessed the ongoing preparations for the next UNCCD reporting process, a particularly significant round that will take stock of the baselines reported during the 2017-2018 cycle. The next UNCCD reporting process is planned for 2021-2022.

Furthermore, Bureau discussed the upcoming inter-sessional meeting of the CRIC, planning to present recommendations to UNCCD COP15 for the reporting process that can better reflect the implementation needs of the Convention.

The Bureau also discussed far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 and the role that land restoration and sustainable land management will play as part of long-term response to the socio-economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

Welcoming new Bureau members, the UNCCD Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw stressed the potential of investments in land to address the main global challenges by creating jobs, protecting vulnerable communities and steering economic recovery towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. He also highlighted the critical role that the CRIC can play in guiding the work of the Convention along the path toward global common good.

In his closing remarks, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary Dr. Pradeep Monga highlighted the potential of the CRIC to mobilize Parties and promote the implementation of the convention as part of the new social contract with nature.

The CRIC 18 and 19 Chair is Mr. Trevor L. Benn (Guyana). Vice-Chairs for the CRIC 18 and 19 Bureau are: Ms. Saliha Fortas (Algeria); Mr. Hussein Nasrallah (Lebanon); Ms. Nino Chikovani (Georgia); and Mr. Ahmed Senyaz (Türkiye).