The objective of the present guidelines is to pool and systematize major principles of the integrated approach to planning the socio-economic development of regions with a view of combating desertification and preparing respective project documentation.

The document consists of three parts and has some annexes. The first part discusses the general provisions related to natural resources; the socia- economic potential of arid regions and the most important causes and consequences of desertification. The second one deals with factors and conditions contributing to the stabilization and neutralization of desertification processes. The librray has a hard copy.