Events

The 22nd UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) meeting will gather leading scientists and high-level experts in a hybrid format to refine the SPI Work Programme 2025–2026, advancing priorities adopted at UNCCD COP16. Participants will receive updates from the UNCCD Secretariat on the Global Mechanism, policy advocacy, communications, CRIC reporting and the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework.Discussions will feature the launch of three new task teams—Global Land Outlook 3, fast-track assessments and coordination with bodies such as IPCC and IPBES—followed by breakout sessions to set methodologies, responsibilities, timelines and resource needs. Daily plenary reports will synthesize progress, culminating in a summary of outcomes and next steps. Join the meeting online via Zoom: https://unccd-int.zoom.us/j/81694282893

The Science-Policy Interface Day at COP 16 was dedicated to fostering dialogue among scientists, policymakers and practitioners on addressing desertification, land degradation and drought. The day's focus was on historical and future aridity trends and sustainable land use systems.The event explored two critical dimensions: adapting to aridification and scaling up systems approaches to land use and management. Drawing from recent scientific assessments, the SPI presented findings on aridity trends and their role in climate adaptation, along with strategies for addressing land degradation through sustainable land use systems.Panel discussions and interactive sessions provided a platform for sharing knowledge, case studies and practical solutions. Participants discussed how to scale up effective practices and integrate science into policy, with a focus on fostering collaboration and aligning efforts under the three Rio conventions. Audience engagement was central to ensuring diverse perspectives that contribute to enhancing land resilience to aridity.

STI Day at UNCCD COP16 focused on advancing scientific and technological solutions to support land health and resilient communities. With land degradation escalating, it aimed to bridge science and policy by engaging diverse stakeholders — research institutions, data providers, tech developers and civil society — to drive ambitious, science-based action for sustainable land management.

UNCCD Science Policy Interface (SPI)-Bonn Water Network (BWN) Joint Session, 9:00-11:00 (CET), 22 March 2024

Approaching to UNCCD COP16, the CST Bureau will hold their next meeting in UN campus, Bonn, Germany on 22  March 2024, back-to-back with the 19th SPI meeting and the Joint session of SPI-Bonn Water Network on land-water nexus. The Bureau meeting will focus its agenda on two key items. One is the way of organization of the Plenary of 16th session of the Committee on Science and Technology as interactive dialogue between the Parties to the SPI and special events of science during COP16. The other is to review and discuss those scientific issues that may benefit COP16 decisions, including: IWG mid-term evaluation on how science will be organized in the UNCCD in the future. Maximizing STCs participation in COP16. Improving communication with STCs. Future arrangements/pathways for the scientific contributions to the UNCCD Strategic Framework and provision of advice on methodological matters related to reporting. Exploring ways to help ensure the secretariat has the capacity and budget to support the UNCCD science agenda. The provisional agenda is attached.