A considerable amount of scientific and technological literature containing basic information on the ecology of arid lands has been accumulated during recent years. But whereas this scientific and technological information provides solutions to many of the problems of desertification, and such solutions have been applied with success in a number of advanced countries, this has not been the case in most of the developing countries that face the hazards of desertification.

The resulting situation underlines the importance of providing the necessary support towards the widest possible development of national scientific capabilities that would foster the successful application of available scientific knowledge, and the special value of experimental (pilot) units for such purposes.

The importance of national capabilities in science and technology was stressed in Recommendation 18 of the United Nations Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, which refers to: 'action to be taken to utilize and strengthen national capabilities in science and technology, with particular attention to planning and management for rational utilization of resources, as part of the campaign against desertification'.

National scientific capabilities seem to have two principal roles in this context: (a) application of available knowledge in solving local problems of desertification and related issues of resource development of arid lands, and (b) contribution to international endeavour to add to the stock of scientific information and fill gaps in knowledge. Support of national scientific capabilities in developing countries presupposes the need for training technical personnel.