Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought (2019-2022)

The international community is developing policy measures and actions to help the people most vulnerable to drought to take early action to avoid loss of life, and the heavy and growing losses of livelihoods and damage to property and ecosystems following droughts.

The Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought (IWG) was established in September 2019 during UNCCD COP14, which took place in New Delhi, India, 2-13 September 2019.

What is it?

The Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought (IWG) is a working group set up to develop effective policy and implementation measures for addressing drought impacts in the context of UNCCD. It presented its findings and recommendations for consideration by the Parties at the fifteenth session of UNCCD COP, which took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 9–20 May 2022.

Mandate

To take stock of and review the existing policy, implementation and institutional coordination frameworks, including partnerships, on drought preparedness and response.

To consider options for appropriate policy, advocacy and implementation measures at all levels for addressing drought effectively under the Convention

To carry out the task in the context of a wider holistic and integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and enhancing the resilience of communities and ecosystems.

Composition

The IWG is composed of 30 members. They consist of a maximum of three-Party representatives nominated by each of their respective regional groups. There are five groups altogether. The regional representatives were identified from nominations submitted by national governments. An additional 15 participants are drawn from key stakeholders, and include United Nations organizations, the Science-Policy Interface, other scientific organizations, regional organizations and civil society organizations.

How can organizations and countries contribute?

Parties, international organizations, civil society organization and other stakeholders in this issue have made submissions on:

• Policy, implementation and institutional coordination frameworks and implementation measures for addressing drought under the Convention; and
• Barriers, challenges, opportunities and implementation measures as well as preparing for, responding to, and recovering from drought.