Ad hoc intersessional groups
UNCCD intergovernmental working groups help Parties address questions that shape the Convention’s work — from strengthening drought policy to assessing progress and preparing its strategy beyond 2030.
Established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) for specific tasks, these temporary groups work between COP sessions and present findings and recommendations to support Parties’ decisions.
Strengthening the Convention’s strategy and implementation
The Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework is helping develop the Convention’s strategy beyond 2030. Established at COP16 through decision 4/COP.16, the group identified key elements and a draft vision for the future framework during its first phase, presenting its final report to COP17. Renewed for 2026–2028 through decision 6/COP.17, it will assess the indicators used to measure progress under the current 2018–2030 Strategic Framework and develop a draft post-2030 Strategic Framework, including goals and targets, for consideration at COP18.
Evaluating progress under existing strategies helps identify where implementation needs to improve. The group overseeing the midterm evaluation of the 2018–2030 Strategic Framework, established under decision 7/COP.15 following preparations mandated by decision 7/COP.14, brought together independent analysis and consultations. Its report to COP16 highlighted the gap between global commitments and action on the ground, recommending clear global targets and stronger integration of land degradation neutrality targets into national planning and budgets. The earlier midterm evaluation of the 2008–2018 strategic plan, conducted by a group established under decision 12/COP.10, highlighted the need for better measurement of progress and a more coherent approach to mobilizing resources for implementation. Its final report was completed in 2013.
Working groups have also helped shape how the Convention reviews implementation. The first working group on implementation reviewed reports to identify challenges, best practices and successful approaches. Its conclusions and recommendations are set out in decision 3/COP.5. Its work helped lead to the establishment of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC).
Strengthening drought policy
Two successive working groups examined how the Convention could help countries prepare for drought rather than only respond to emergencies. Established at COP14 in 2019 under decision 23/COP.14, the first drought working group reviewed existing policies, partnerships and coordination arrangements for drought preparedness and response. It presented its findings and recommendations at COP15 in 2022.
Building on that work, the 2022–2024 drought working group, established under decision 23/COP.15, evaluated global and regional policy options and their links to national plans. Its final report and recommendations were presented at COP16 in 2024 to support a shift from reactive to proactive drought management.
