SPI structure and governance
The UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) is comprised of 35 experts (25 independent scientists, five science delegates and five observers). The independent scientists are recruited through a global Open Call and selected by the CST Bureau on the basis of scientific merit and experience in interfacing science and policy, taking into account career stage as well as gender and regional and disciplinary balance. The 5 science delegates are elected by each region to serve on the CST Bureau and the SPI. Four observer organizations selected by the CST Bureau following an open call to UNCCD-accredited United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations based on their contribution to implementation of the UNCCD. The fifth observer represents civil society organizations is nominated by the UNCCD Civil Society Organizations Panel.
The SPI is co-chaired by the Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology and an independent scientist elected by SPI members. Participation on the SPI is voluntary and is governed by the CST Bureau supported by SPI governance documents which outline the roles and responsibilities of all members and observers.
The Science-Policy Interface of the UNCCD was established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) at its eleventh session in 2013 (decision 23/COP.11) and has had its mandate renewed and refined in subsequent meetings of the COP (decisions 19/COP.12, 19/COP.13, 19/COP.14, 19/COP.15 and 21/COP.15). In December 2024 at COP 16, Parties revised the structure and future functioning of the SPI (decision 20/COP.16).
