Recalling its resolution 3168 (XXVII) of 17 December 1973 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1826 (LV) of 10 August 1973, in which was noted the need for new action to intensify international co-operation enabling all countries, in particular the developing countries, to benefit from the achievements of modern science and technology for the acceleration of their economic and social progress.

Recognizing the urgent need to prepare a world integrated programme of development research and application of science and technology to solve the special problems of desertification in all its ramifications and reclamation of land lost and desertification.

Convinced further that an intergovernmental conference on desertification would provide the international community an opportunity to launch a broad plan of action with a view to resolving the problem of desertification.