Combating desertification and drought 15. Desertification is not an issue for the developed countries that reported, with the exception of the United States of America, which reports that approximately 37 per cent of its land area could be described as a desert area or an area prone to desertification. The United States does not have a specific strategy for the sector and the report indicates some capacity constraints. Nine developing countries have provided detailed information and identified their most serious concerns. The most commonly reported factors impacting on desertification appear to be grazing and the demand for fuelwood.
Most countries seem to involve local community groups in the national planning process.
Chile, Turkey and Uganda have assigned high or very high national priority to desertification issues. Namibia states that 85 per cent of its land area is covered by desert. Of the developing countries that have reported, nearly all have signed the Convention. Sustainable mountain development 18. Seventy-seven per cent of Switzerland consists of mountain areas, and national legislation is in preparation.