Decision 8/COP.13Enhancingthe implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the enhancement, strengthening and promotion of capacity buildingThe Conference of the Parties, Recallingarticle 19 of the the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD),Also recallingdecision 3/COP.8, containing the 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention (The Strategy),Recognizing decision 7/COP.13 andwelcomingthe UNCCD 2018−2030 Strategic Framework,Recalling decision 1/COP.9, decision 1/COP.10, decision 1/COP.11, decision 3/COP.12 and decision 13/COP.12,Restating the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, being cognizant of the importance of capacity building in achieving the same as outlined in Goal 17, Reaffirmingthat capacity building at all levels, in particular at the local and community level, is essential for the effective implementation of the Convention,Welcomingthe efforts made by Convention institutions and bodies in support of the enhancement, strengthening and promotion of capacity building to further the implementation of the Convention, Recognizing the need for enhanced efforts to ensure targeted and coordinated capacity building within the framework of the UNCCD process, particularly in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 1.Requests the secretariat, within availableresources to:(a)Continue targeted capacity building to support the implementation of the Convention, including land degradation neutrality by Parties. And, to do soin cooperation with Parties and relevant intergovernmental organizations, as well as the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders;(b)Continue fostering partnerships to facilitate capacity development for, inter alia, national drought preparedness planning, drought early warning, risk and vulnerability assessments, mitigation of enhanced drought risk and the impacts of sand and dust storms;(c)Further develop and promote tools for cost-effective capacity building under the Convention, including inter alia the Capacity Building Marketplace and the UNCCD Knowledge Hub;(d)Develop and strengthen partnerships to build the required capacities to mainstream gender in the implementation of the Convention in order to enhance the role of women and youth in combating desertification/land degradation and drought and increase the resilience of the women vulnerable to desertification/land degradation and drough (e)In cooperation with partners, make scientific knowledge and best practices available for stakeholders in the Convention through the UNCCD Knowledge Hub, aimed at, inter alia, scaling up sustainable land management practices and increasing the knowledge and scientific and technical skills of stakeholders in the Convention;2.Requests Parties and the Convention institutions and bodies, andinvites intergovernmental and regional organizations and agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector to cooperate on capacity building to support the implementation of the Convention at all levels, particularly local and community levels;3.Invites Parties and technical and financial institutions to continue to provide technical and financial support for effective and targeted capacity development in support of the implementation of the Convention;4.Requeststhe secretariat to report on the implementation of this decision at the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties.10thplenary meeting15 September 2017