Monitoring desertification

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends: (a) strengthening the knowledge base and developing information and monitoring systems for regions prone to desertification and drought, including economic and social aspects of these ecosystems; (b) reviewing and studying the interaction between the socio-economic impacts of climate, drought and desertification and utilizing results of these studies to secure concrete action; improving and maintaining mechanisms to take preventive measures at regional, national and local levels, with adequate staff, equipment and finances for monitoring drought parameters.