Moroccan delegation in 5th conference of parties to the UN Nations convention to combat desertification
Morocco-Regional, Environment, 10/9/2001

A Moroccan delegation is taking part in the 5th conference of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held here this October 1-12, to examine means to prevent new Desertification-caused famine and migration risks.

The delegation is led by Hassan Maaouni, minister in charge of water and forests, and composed of executives from the agriculture and environment ministries.

The UN convention secretariat deplores slow progress in the struggle against desertification, a phenomenon affecting subsidence means of over one billion people and could cause the displacement of 135 million persons. Over 110 countries are directly or indirectly affected by drought, Hama Araba Diallo, executive secretary of the convention warns.

In a letter he sent to the conference, UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, stressed that implementation of the Convention can also make an important contribution to the preservation of stability by ensuring food security and preventing massive migrations. "About one sixth of humankind is directly threatened by desertification and recurrent drought, and more than 135 million people are at risk of being displaced," he insisted.

The convention was adopted in 1994 and went into force in 1996.

Over 2,500 delegates, including some 50 heads of state and government and prime ministers, are scheduled to take part in the meeting which observers and experts hope it will give a strong impetus to preparations for sustainable development summit slated for next September in Johannesbourg.

The world body recalls 6 million hectares of productive land have been disappearing every year since 1990 as a result of soil degradation.

Previous Stories:
  Photo exhibition on Arab world environment held in Casablanca   (8/2/2001)
  Morocco hails success of Bonn conference on climatic changes   (7/23/2001)
  Several countries pledge to bring financial support to Marrakesh climatic changes conference   (7/21/2001)

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