Why in News?

• The 14^th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in New Delhi, India between 2^nd and 13^th September 2019.

Highlights:

• Over 3,000 participants from all over the world are expected to participate in COP14.
• The Parties to the Convention will agree on the actions each will take over the next two years and beyond to take planet earth on to a sustainable development path.
• Ministers from 196 countries, scientists and representatives of national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, city leaders, the private sector, industry experts, women, youth, journalists, faith and community groups will talk at the conference.
• UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement that links environment and development to sustainable land management.
• It addresses specifically arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as drylands, home to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples.
• It was established in 1994 and entered into force in 1996.
• It is one of the three Rio Conventions along with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• India became a signatory to UNCCD on 14^th October 1994 and ratified it on 17^th December 1996.
• The chief agendas for COP14 are reversing land degradation and its outcomes while accelerating positive achievements for people and for ecosystems with a view to delivering on the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals.