Accredited CSO
The UNCCD COP recognizes that the involvement and participation of the civil society is vital to the successful implementation of this Convention. It therefore welcomes the contribution of CSOs, with particular regard to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to the official meetings of the UNCCD.
Representatives from CSOs that are accredited to the COP may directly participate in the UNCCD secretariat’s sessions. At these sessions CSOs are consulted on United Nation’s policy and programme matters. They also play key roles at major United Nations conferences as indispensable partners for efforts at the country level. Below are the current accredited CSO's to the Convention.
Africa Center for Inclusive Development (ACID-Ghana) is working to improve climate resilience and livelihood to address food insecurity, biodiversity conservation and social cohesion. With this the organisation is focusing on four strategic areas to address food insecurity, restoration of degraded lands, improve biodiversity, climate change, strengthen local institutions, and improve economic opportunities for the youth, insecurity, extremism, and conflict over resources.
HEART (Humanitarian Enhancement Aid for Resilient Transformation) is a youth-led non-profit in Bangladesh promoting sustainable land management, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration. It empowers marginalized communities through agroecology, reforestation, soil regeneration, and advocacy for land rights in desertification-prone coastal regions.
MUMSA Initiative is a youth-led nonprofit working across Northern Nigeria to promote sustainable land management, drought resilience, and equitable water access. Through advocacy, climate-smart water projects, and citizen-led monitoring, we empower vulnerable communities especially women and youth to combat desertification, strengthen local governance, and restore degraded lands.
Primary Theme Relevant to the UNCCD Process Our organization’s primary thematic focus aligned with the UNCCD process is Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Rangeland Restoration in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), particularly in pastoral regions of Northern Kenya. This work directly contributes to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), a core objective of the UNCCD, by promoting practices that prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation while enhancing pastoralist' resilience.
APEARE supports UNCCD goals through reforestation, climate adaptation, and sustainable land use in Nigeria. Our work in Nasarawa State integrates agroforestry, ecological restoration, and community-led resilience to combat desertification. Activities include policy advocacy, capacity building, and stakeholder partnerships aligned with SDGs 13, 15, and 17.
Friends of Health Initiative promotes sustainable livelihoods, environmental conservation, and land restoration to build resilience among vulnerable populations in Rwanda. Its activities such as organic farming, composting, greenhouse techniques, and access to agricultural water support food security and combat climate-related health risks. These efforts align with UNCCD goals of land degradation neutrality and sustainable land use for community resilience.
Our organization champions agroecological practices and training, directly supporting the UNCCD's aims to combat desertification and land degradation. We facilitate community-led sustainable land management, enhance local food systems' resilience to drought, and build farmers' capacity in soil health and water conservation. Our activities foster participatory approaches and integrate traditional knowledge for effective restoration and sustainable use of drylands.
MILE Organization for Environmental Protection works to combat land degradation and promote sustainable land management in Iraq. Our activities focus on climate resilience, environmental governance, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and post-conflict land rehabilitation. MILE supports national strategies through data-driven solutions, GIS mapping, and community-based environmental restoration.
CCEYD promotes youth-led environmental stewardship and community resilience through education, advocacy, and land restoration in Ghana’s Northern Region. Relevant to UNCCD, its initiatives include afforestation, anti-bushfire campaigns, sustainable land use training, and climate-health awareness—aimed at combating desertification and enhancing ecosystem protection.
WTDC is a women-led NGO in Iraq promoting gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion. It implements projects focused on vulnerable groups, including IDPs and returnees, offering psychosocial, legal, and economic support. WTDC also leads advocacy and awareness campaigns addressing gender-based violence, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development.