The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling articles 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Convention,
Also recalling decision 5/COP.9, decision 5/COP.10, decision 5/COP.11, decision 5/COP.12 and decision 5/COP.13,
Emphasizing the importance of the participation of civil society organizations in the sessions of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies, as well as their contribution to the implementation of the Convention and the UNCCD 2018−2030 Strategic Framework, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,
Welcoming the work of the Civil Society Organization Panel and the importance of its continuation,
Also welcoming the implementation of the recommendations identified by the independent evaluation on the effectiveness of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification support for civil society organization participation,
1. Encourages those countries with no or few civil society organizations accredited to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to promote the involvement of their civil society organizations in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification process at the international level to ensure more balanced participation of civil society organizations in the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and its subsidiary bodies;
2. Requests the secretariat to continue working with key stakeholders, including youth, faith-based organizations, local governments, farmers, pastoralists, women’s organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities;
3. Also requests the Civil Society Organization Panel to review its renewal procedure and explore options to increase the efficiency of this procedure;
4. Further requests the secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to facilitate the renewal of the membership of the Civil Society Organization Panel for two years in January 2020, in accordance with previously adopted decisions;
5. Urges developed country Parties and invites other Parties in a position to do so, international financial organizations, civil society organizations and private sector institutions to consider contributing to the Supplementary Fund and Special Fund of the Convention with the aim of ensuring wider participation and inclusion of civil society organizations in meetings and processes of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification as well as the work undertaken by the Civil Society Organization Panel of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification;
6. Requests the Civil Society Organization Panel, through the secretariat, to report to the Conference of the Parties at future sessions on its activities during the forthcoming biennium;
7. Also requests the secretariat to report to the Conference of the Parties at future sessions on the implementation of the present decision.
