Treaties for which NZ is DepositaryTrade law and free trade agreementsTreaty making processEngagement with MaoriInternational Treaties ListNational Interest AnalysesRecent Treaty ActionsTreaty CriteriaTreaty registerLaw of the Sea and FisheriesInternational Humanitarian LawInternational Courts and TribunalsPrivate International LawDiplomatic Privileges and ImmunitiesSecurity Council SanctionsSpeeches and Events
Start writing the country or territory name in the box. Typing more letters narrows the search. Click "go" or hit "Enter" to go to the information paper on the country or territory.
(We don't have information papers on all countries and territories.)
Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
It is proposed that, provided the treaty-making procedures can be completed in time, the Prime Minister deposit New Zealand's instrument of accession to the Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (CCD) during the UN Millennium Summit in early September.
Accession to the CCD would demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development and to international regimes to respond to issues of global concern. The CCD is one of the three major outcomes of the 1992 United Nations Convention on Environment and Development (the Rio Earth Summit), and considered the most important by many developing countries, particularly those in Africa. It is listed by the United Nations Secretary General as one of the 25 core United Nations conventions which all UN members are encouraged to join.
Accession would also demonstrate a commitment to the needs of the countries of the Pacific region. Land degradation and drought, issues dealt with under the CCD, are of growing relevance to the region and 13 Pacific Island countries have now ratified or acceded to the CCD.
The CCD entered into force in 1996. The CCD provides a framework for a coordinated and cooperative global response to desertification. Desertification is defined broadly to include land degradation which is an issue of global concern. It is estimated that over 15% of the world's population and 25% of total land area is affected by land degradation and desertification processes. There are no disadvantages to the entry into force of the CCD.
As a developed country, not affected by desertification, New Zealand would have the following specific obligations:
There are also a number of general obligations that apply to all Parties. These are not considered to be particularly onerous. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will work with relevant departments to implement New Zealand's obligations under the Convention.
There are no significant economic, social or cultural effects arising from accession. The environmental benefits are outlined in the section above on reasons for New Zealand's accession.
The only direct compulsory cost of accession is an annual contribution to the CCD Secretariat of approximately US$20,000 which is based on the UN scale of assessments. Provision for this cost was made in the 2000 budget and can there be met within existing MFAT baselines.
Future Protocols to the CCD are not considered likely in the foreseeable future.
Accession has no legislative or regulatory implications.
This paper was prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Conservation, and The Treasury.
Article 38 of the CCD allows for withdrawal from the Convention.
