The National Strategy, Action Programme and Integrated Financing Strategy to Combat Desertification in Palestine

Environment Quality Authority (EQA), on behalf of the Palestine has formulated a National Strategy to combat Desertification (NAP/IFS), funded and supported by GM of the UNCCD and UNDP/ PAPP.

This strategy, NAP and IFS build on and are framed by relevant national and sectoral strategies and plans such as: Environment Sector Strategy, Agriculture Sector Strategy, Social Protection Strategy, Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Ending Occupation, Establishing the State Programme.

While it is aligned and in harmony with the following international conventions, among others: UNCCD and its 10 year strategic plan 2008-2018, UNCBD, UNFCCC, Agenda 21 and MDGs.

The overall objective of the Strategy is to prevent, halt and where possible reverse the effects and impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought, in order to contribute to poverty alleviation, improve livelihoods of people and achieve sustainable development.

The following four strategic objectives have been identified to contribute to achieving the overall objective and other national and sectoral objectives:

1. To upgrade institutional, legal and human capacities and frameworks and to create the enabling policy environment.

2. To improve awareness and attitude of stakeholders and to seek maximum participation and partnership of the affected people and the private sector.

3. Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources4. To improve mobilization, efficiency and effectiveness of financial and technical

resources available to combat desertification, land degradation and drought.

The IFS for combating desertification in oPt identified the potential internal and external financing sources and recommended key policy recommendations to be adopted in order to make available the necessary fund. In addition innovative and new financing sources whether national or international have been identified

After developing the strategies palestine cooperation with GM, have continued, to explore the funding resources where we have prepared Climate Change Finance for Sustainable Land Management in Palestine Assessment report and developed several project documents for SLM that be presented in Donor Workshop in Ramallah in 12 June 2014 under the patronage Her Excellency Ms. Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.