From:      mmontoiro at unccd.int
Subject: UNCCD and UNU sign agreement to expand research into environmentally-induced migration
Date:      November 28, 2008

Bonn, Germany, 28 November 2008 – As the perilous effects of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) on humans become more and more apparent, two United Nations organizations have come together more closely. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations University (UNU) have signed a memorandum of understanding, in which they agreed to combine resources to tackle the mounting challenge of environmentally induced migration and vulnerability induced by DLDD.

Experts say that severe desertification could force the migration of some 50 million people in the next 10 years. This is already a huge burden for many countries. Affected countries suffer the loss of knowledgeable farmers who flee to cities that already have reached their social and economic limits, or must move to third countries, where they frequently must live on the fringe of society.

“Parties of the Convention have asked for more science to address this and similar issues. For this there is no better address than the UNU, ” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja at the signing ceremony.

The agreement, to be carried out as a joint work plan over a two-year period starting in 2009, seeks to expand research on forced migration due to DLDD on how the two are related. A preliminary policy position paper shall first be presented at the 17th meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development in May 2009, to be followed up by a joint publication for policy, which will be prepared by October next year for the ninth session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties.

The two UN bodies enter the agreement convinced that distinct benefits can derive from the joint work plan. With the research conducted on desertification-induced migration, advocacy and awareness raising shall be promoted. The expanded focus of scientific and technological activity to create effective policy frameworks also reflects the UNCCD’s 10-year Strategy plan that runs to 2018.

UNU Rector Konrad Osterwalder said at the signing ceremony that the University is intensifying its studies on a global problem that must be addressed on a global scale.

“UNCCD’s broad network with national and international partners will help our research. Cooperation here will benefit those who experience some of the harshest environmental conditions, that of living in drylands that are vulnerable to degradation, and who, when it worsens even just a bit, are subjected to unparalleled challenges when forced to migrate,” said Prof. Osterwalder.

The signing took place as UNU in Bonn marks its fifth anniversary with a series of events in the coming week, including the 55th Session of UNU Council, to be held in Bonn for the first time.

For further information, please contact Marcos Montoiro +49-228-815-2806 or press(at)unccd.int. Also see http://www.unccd.int