The Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) elected Dr. William Dar as the new Chairman of its Committee for Science and Technology (CST) on Monday Sept. 3, the opening day of the 8th COP session in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Dar was nominated by the Asian States Group as a distinguished citizen of the Philippines on behalf of that region.

This influential two-year assignment is a well-deserved honor. The CST is responsible for advising the CCD on all scientific issues relating to its mission. Signed by 191 countries, the CCD embodies the world's commitment to combat desertification (dryland degradation). It was created as an outcome of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), popularly known as the Rio Earth Summit. Its importance was underscored by the 2000 Millennium Summit which issued the Millennium Development Goals, and by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Informed of this prestigious appointment just as he arrived, Dr. Dar immediately picked up the Chair's gavel and guided the CST plenary session. This is a moment of opportunity within the CCD and CST, with a new ten-year plan paving the way for fundamental reform and re-invigoration of the global desertification pact. In his opening statement, Dr. Dar urged the body to be open to reforms and to widely engage stakeholders from all sectors.

While elected in his role as a Philippino citizen, not as ICRISAT Director General, Dr. Dar commented that he naturally provides a contact point for the Alliance of CGIAR Centers to the CCD. The Alliance carries out research that is highly relevant to the CCD through inter-center initiatives such as the Oasis Challenge Programme candidate and the Desert Margins Program.