Call for independent scientists to join the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface extended to 25 August 2022

The Bureau of the Committee on Science and Technology, the UNCCD subsidiary body established to provide information and advice on scientific and technological matters relating to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, has opened a call for new independent scientist members to its Science-Policy Interface (SPI).

The application period runs between 21 July 2022 and 25 August 2022, closing at midnight (CEST). Please find the online application form here.

The mandate of the SPI is to facilitate a two-way science-policy dialogue and ensure the delivery of policy-relevant information, knowledge and advice on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). The SPI helps ensure the bottlenecks to addressing desertification, land degradation and drought are addressed with the latest science. This is accomplished through the scientific assessment and synthesis of existing science as well as the review and analysis of major assessment reports of other scientific mechanisms.

The SPI work programme for the 2022-2024 triennium will address, through scientific assessment and synthesis, two critical issues which require relevant scientific expertise: sustainable land use systems and historical regional and global aridity trends and future projections. In addition to providing quality assurance for the UNCCD’s flagship publication, the Global Land Outlook, the SPI cooperates, through scientific review of new reports and analysis of recently published reports, with six other intergovernmental/international panels and bodies, including IPBES, IPCC, ITPS, UNEP IRP, GLII of UN Habitat, and IDMP.

Service on the SPI, which is voluntary, provides scientists the opportunity to help policy makers address critical bottlenecks in achieving the mission of the Convention. And through this service, future global policy development will be grounded upon a solid scientific foundation.