The International Dryland Development Commission (IDDC) is an autonomous nongovernmental nonprofit organization established in 1987 by the individuals and institutions interested in and concerned about the sustainable development of dry areas.

It is promoting all aspects of dryland studies by fostering cooperation, collaboration and networking between various international, regional and national organizations. One of the important modus operandi of the networking of IDDC has been to hold a major scientific conference every three to four years to provide
opportunity to participants from around the world to exchange research results and experiences in dryland development and combating desertification. In pursuance of this objective the IDDC has organized in the past nine international conferences.

The Tenth International Conference on Dryland Development (ICDD) on “Meeting the Challenge of Sustainable Development in the Dry Lands under Changing Climate – Moving from Global to Local” was held on 12-15 December 2010 in Cairo, Egypt.

It was organized under the auspices of the International Dry Lands Development Commission (IDDC) and sponsored by the Agriculture Research and Development Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt and other national and international organizations.