“16. We recognize that Africa has been severely affected by drought, desertification and land degradation and loss of biodiversity. We further recognize that the key to agricultural revitalization and food security is better and sustainable land management, including reclaiming dry and degraded land to make it propitious to agriculture. This would contribute, inter alia, to offering new economic opportunities for enhanced rural development and improved prospects for sustainable livelihoods for affected rural populations while also improving biodiversity conservation.
17. We acknowledge that desertification which poses serious threats to the achievement of sustainable development and to the eradication of poverty and hunger is a global problem that requires a global response through concerted efforts among all member states and concerned stakeholders”