Ecobreves – LATIN AMERICA: Greater Effort Needed Against Desertification

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BUENOS AIRES, Mar 17 2007 (IPS) - Non-governmental organizations have called for more effective action to halt desertification in Latin America. That was the main result of the 5th session of the application exam committee of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held Mar. 12-21 in Buenos Aires with representatives from some 170 countries.

The Latin American governments have made “great efforts” towards progress, said Patricia Maldonado, representative in Argentina of the International Network of NGOs on Desertification.

But 10 years since the Convention entered into force, government reports show that actions have proved “insufficient”, she told Tierramérica.

“We must review the strategies for intervention, allow greater participation by the affected communities, and decentralize national policies,” recommends Maldonado, who heads the Llastay Environmental Association in Argentina.