Thus, establishing a global financial mechanism for the CCD, with interest and priority equal to the GEF s, will place the CCD on a par with the other two conventions, as well as provide a first step towards taking adequate measures to combat desertification. He added that the Committee should receive the support of all member States, thus essential budgetary funds for the preparation of COP-1 should be provided to the Interim Secretariat. The Netherlands, on behalf of the EU, along with Cyprus, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Iceland, were pleased that the Convention had entered into force as early as 26 December 1996. The EU said that since this is the last session of the INCD, all the necessary preparations for the implementation of the CCD should be made before the UN Special Session in June 1997. He also said that the Global Mechanism should promote actions leading to the mobilization and channeling of resources.
Programmes are the key operational tools for concrete action.
He pointed out that partnership building processes have not even started in many countries. He said that the Global Mechanism can ensure a result-oriented implementation of the CCD and referred to the proposal regarding the crucial paragraph 4 that the NGOs have submitted for delegates to consider. Diallo pointed out that in order for countries to be able to participate as Parties to the Convention at COP-1, they have to submit their instruments of ratification by 29 June. Diallo also noted the balanced distribution of ratifications between developed and developing, as well as among developing counties. As the multimedia displays for the three countries bidding to host the Permanent Secretariat were put in place in the UN basement corridors, delegates noted that lobbying for the Secretariat location is heating up.