Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the High-Level Segment of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh today. The Conference is being held at a time when India has assumed the COP Presidency from China for two years.

Our  correspondent reports the Conference is adding to the global discourse on issues relating to environment, especially land management. Union Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar and Executive Secretary of UN Convention to Combat Desertification UNCCD Ibrahim Thiaw had jointly inaugurated the 12-day conference on 2nd of this month. It is witnessing participation of as many as 196 countries with over five thousand delegates from across the globe. Environment Ministers from around 100 countries are participating in the conference.

Non-government and inter-governmental organizations, scientists, women and youth are also attending the mega event. Around 30 decisions with actions will be taken at the Conference that aim to strengthen land-use policies worldwide and address emerging threats, such as forced migration, sand and dust storms, and droughts. The deliberations would lead to a final set of commitments, the New Delhi Declaration which would be signed by all member countries at the end of the session.