For the first time ever India will be hosting the 14th session of Conference of Parties (COP-14) of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in September 2019, to address the issue of land degradation and desertification.

• India will be taking over the COP presidency from China for the next two years until the next COP is hosted in 2021.
• COP-14 will review reports submitted by Conference of Parties to convention and detailing how they are carrying out their commitments.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) established in is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

 The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.