This publication aims to contribute to an understanding of traditional knowledge and how its application can minimize land degradation and desertification in arid and semi-arid zones and dry sub-humid zones. It is primarily intended to help those following the UNCCD process to take into account the development of traditional knowledge issues in the context of the work of the Committee on Science and Technology of the UNCCD. The document offers the fundamental information that may be useful to government officials, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. The publication is organized in three sections and presents the relevant COP decisions, the official CST reports from the Ad hoc panels, followed by consultants reports.