An inter-governmental negotiating committee for the elaboration of aninternational convention to combat desertification in countries experiencing seriousdrought and/ or desertification was recommended in 1992 U.N. Conference onEnvironment and Development.The U.N. General Assembly established a committee in1992 which helped formulation of the convention on desertification.
The convention endorses and employs a bottom-up approach to international environmental cooperation.Theconvention aims at tackling desertification through national, regional and sub-regionalaction programmes. India hosts the network on agro forestry and soil conservation.2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”