The Republic of Korea is going to host the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 2011.






Mr. Sang-kil LEE, Deputy Minister of the Korea Forest Service, participated as Korean head delegate in COP 9, which was held in Buenos Aires from Sep 21 to Oct 2, and attended the high-level segment for making remarks on top issues including partnership on combating desertification and climate change. Mr. Lee, further, had courtesy meetings with Mr. Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretariat of the UNCCD and COP 9 President Mr. Homero Bibiloni, Argentina Minister of Environment. with the view of enhancing a closer cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the UNCCD and of facilitating the implementation of the Convention, particularly in Asia.






Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Mr. Tae-ho KIM also attended those meetings since Gyeongnam was the most promising candidate venue for the next session of the Conference of the Parties.






Mr. LEE made an acceptance speech when the decision on the next venue, Changwon city in Gyeongnam Province was announced on the last day of the 9th session. In his speech, the Republic of Korea called for continued interest and positive support for the successful hosing and highlighted that COP 10 would be very significant to be held for the first time in Asia where desertification is severely spreading and affecting an increasing number of population.