The Conference of the Parties,
Recognizing that droughts are occurring more frequently and becoming more common, intense, severe and extended in space and time, Reaffirming the objective of the Convention in article 2, which is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious desertification or drought, particularly in Africa,
Recalling the particular conditions of the Regional Implementation Annexes to the Convention,
Recalling that the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework recognizes that desertification/land degradation and drought are challenges of global dimension and contribute to and aggravate economic, social and environmental problems, such as poverty, poor health, lack of food security, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, reduced resilience to climate change and forced migration,
Mindful of the increasingly devastating impacts of drought, resulting in loss of life and long-term negative economic, social and environmental consequences, particularly on women and girls and vulnerable populations,
Noting the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Climate Change and Land, which assessed information on the change in the frequency and intensity of drought in some regions and the role of land-based interventions to mitigate drought,
Recalling decision 7/COP. 13 and decision 29/COP. 13,
Emphasizing the importance of a holistic, integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and enhancing the resilience of communities to shocks and natural disasters, Noting the synergies in addressing drought with the other Rio conventions as well as a number of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those dealing with land, food, water, and energy security,
Welcoming the enhanced collaboration among the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Global Water Partnership, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification secretariat, the World Meteorological Organization and other partners in the framework of the Drought Initiative,
Emphasizing the importance of coordinating efforts of multiple actors in this area, avoiding duplication and enhancing synergies, including global networks such as the Global Network against Food Crises as well as regional initiatives, Noting with appreciation the progress made so far in the implementation of the Drought Initiative and in particular the support to Parties to develop plans for drought preparedness, regional advocacy and capacity-building,
1. Requests the secretariat and the Global Mechanism, and appropriate United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification bodies, within their respective mandates, to build on the Drought Initiative during the biennium 2020−2021 by, inter alia:
(a) Further upgrading and expanding the Drought Toolbox, recognizing national contexts, in collaboration with regional and subregional stakeholders, and supporting country Parties in building capacity on its effective usage, including on early warning and monitoring systems, impact and vulnerability assessments and drought risk mitigation measures;
(b) Expanding collaboration and partnerships with relevant agencies, organizations and platforms to design and test innovative, gender-responsive and transformative approaches to supporting countries in mitigating the impacts of drought;
(c) Engaging with humanitarian actors in the development and implementation of national drought preparedness plans in order to ensure better complementarity and, where needed, operationalize a coordinated humanitarian and development response;
