India will host the 14th session of Conference of Parties (COP-14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), during 7 to 18 October 2019, at the Vigyan Bhavan, in New Delhi. In this 15 days-international event, representatives from 197 member countries are expected to participate. The Event will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, and will be graced by Hon’ble Ministers of the country along with Govt. officials of Centre and State Govt., representatives from pioneer science and technical organizations, NGOs and CGOs.

Established in 1994, UNCCD focuses on desertification, land degradation and drought, particularly in the drylands (arid, semi-arid and dry sub humid regions), where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found. The main objective of the Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, involving long-term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously, in affected areas, on improved productivity of land, and the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources. COP is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention comprising ratifying governments and regional economic integration organizations. COP sessions are held biennially since 2001.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, which is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Among 17 SDGs, SDG Target 15 is about Life on Land and reads as “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss targets”. SDG target 15.3 reads as “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world”.

With about 30% land under degradation, India committed to achieve Land Degradation
Neutrality status, by 2030, for which the monitorable indicators are listed below:
(i) trends in land cover,
(ii) trends in productivity or functioning of land,
(iii) trends in carbon stocks above and below ground,
(iv) trends in population living below poverty level,
(v) trends in access to safe drinking water in affected areas, and
(vi) trends in abundance and distribution of selected species.

The contest is open to all Indians residing in India.

Participants are required to conceptualize and design a logo such that:
1. To convey land, life sustainability, progress and hope
2. To symbolize an inclusive convention with global outreach
3. To address halting land degradation to improve livelihood of vulnerable population
4. Drought resilient community.

The designer of the finally selected Logo will get a prize of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) and a Certificate from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI.

All Indian citizens are invited to participate in the contest by registering on the MyGov platform and uploading designed Logo on the creative corner for UNCCD-COP-14 Logo.

The last date for accepting entries is 07-04-2019 at 6 PM

Click here for terms and conditions.

For any queries, contact to:
Arunima Dasgupta
Consultant, Desertification Cell
Phone: 011-24634647