The Convention offers new hope in the struggle against desertification. Over the past decades, the problem of land degradation in dryland regions has continued to worsen. The Convention promotes a fresh new approach to managing dryland ecosystems and - just as important - to managing development aid flows.

Desertification is caused by climate variability and human activities. In the past, drylands recovered easily following long droughts and dry periods. Under modern conditions, however, they tend to lose their biological and economic productivity quickly unless they are sustainably managed.

Today, drylands on every continent are being degraded by overcultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Such overexploitation is generally caused by economic, environmental and social pressures, ignorance, war, and drought. (See Fact Sheet 2.)