98/216/EC: Council Decision of 9 March 1998 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the United Nations Convention to combat desertification in countries seriously affected by drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa
Date: 1998-03-09
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Africa, UN convention, arid zone, desertification, drought, the EU's international role

19.3.98

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

L 83/1

II

(Acts  whose  publication  is  not  obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL  DECISION

of  9  March  1998

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the United Nations Convention to
combat  desertification  in  countries  seriously  affected  by  drought  and/or  desertification,
particularly  in  Africa

(98/216/EC)

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and 
in  particular  Article  130r(4)  and
Article  130y,  in  conjunction  with  Article  228(2),  first
sentence  and  (3),  first  subparagraph  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament
(2),

Whereas  the  Commission  participated  on  behalf  of  the
Community  in  the  negotiations  for  the  preparation  of  an
international  convention  to  combat  desertification  in
accordance  with  the  mandate  conferred  on  it  by  the
Council;

Whereas  that  Convention  was  signed  on  behalf  of  the
Community  in  Paris  on  14  October  1994;

serious 

experiencing 

Whereas  the  aim  of  that  Convention  is  to  combat
desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in those
countries 
and/or
desertification,  particularly  in  Africa,  through  effective
international
action  at  all 
cooperation  and  partnership  arrangements, 
the
in 
framework  of  an  integrated  approach  with  a  view
to  contributing 
the  achievement  of  sustainable
development  in  affected  areas;

supported  by 

drought 

levels, 

to 

(1) OJ  C  299,  30.9.1997,  p.  1.
(2) OJ  C  339,  10.11.1997.

Whereas desertification is a major environmental problem
interactions  among  physical,
caused  by 
biological,  political,  social,  cultural  and  economic
factors;

complex 

Whereas the Community has adopted measures, including
legislative  acts,  and  supported  initiatives  in  the  areas
governed  by  the  Convention  and  it  is  its  duty  to  affirm
and stand by its commitment in this field at international
level;

Whereas  the  Community’s  policy  on  the  environment
contributes  to  the  promotion,  at  international  level,
of  measures  designed  to  tackle  regional  or  global
environmental  issues,  including  desertification;

Whereas 
the  Community’s  policy  on  development
cooperation  encourages  the  sustainable  economic  and
social  development  of  developing  countries,  particularly
the most disadvantaged among them, and the eradication
of  poverty  in  the  developing  countries,  two  of  the
objectives  also  pursued  by  the  Convention;

Whereas  the  Convention  includes  provisions  to  help  set
up  environmental  protection 
initiatives  and  thereby
combat  desertification  in  the  northern  Mediterranean;
whereas,  therefore,  such  measures  will  help  tackle
regional  environmental  issues;

Whereas  the  Community’s  scientific  and  technological
research  policy  contributes  significantly  towards  the
combating
conservation  of 

environment  and 

the 

L 83/2

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Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

19.3.98

desertification,  notably  through  its  specific  programmes
for  scientific  and  technological  cooperation  with  third
countries, and also through global change activities of the
Environment  and  Climate  programme;

Whereas  the  conclusion  of  the  Convention  may  be  taken
into account for the future adoption of measures relating
to  special  initiatives  in  the  area  of  economic  and  social
development;

to 

Whereas,  according 
their  respective  spheres  of
competence,  the  Community  and  the  Member  States
cooperate  with  third  countries  and  relevant  international
organisations;

Whereas  all  the  Member  States  have  already  concluded
the  Convention  by  depositing  their 
instruments  of
ratification;

Whereas  the  conclusion  of  the  Convention  by  the
Community  will  help  achieve  the  objectives  laid  down  in
Articles  130a,  130b  and  130u  of  the  Treaty,

Article  2

the  person(s)  empowered 

The  President  of  the  Council  is  hereby  authorised  to
appoint 
the
instrument  of  ratification  of  the  Convention  with  the
Secretary-General  of  the  United  Nations,  in  accordance
with  Article  34  of  the  Convention.

to  deposit 

Such  person(s)  shall  at  the  same  time  deposit  the
declaration  of  competence  attached  to  this  Decision.

Article  3

The  position  to  be  adopted  by  the  Community  at  the
Conference of the Parties, where that body is called upon
to adopt decisions that have legal effect, shall be adopted
by  the  Council  acting  by  a  qualified  majority  on  a
proposal  by  the  Commission.

The Community shall be represented at the Conference of
the  Parties  by  the  Commission  in  the  case  of  matters
coming  within  Community  powers.

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

Article  4

Article  1

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of
the  European  Communities.

The United Nations Convention to combat desertification
in  those  countries  experiencing  serious  drought  and/or
desertification,  particularly  in  Africa,  is  hereby  approved
on  behalf  of  the  Community.

The  full  text  of  the  Convention  and  the  declaration  of
competence  provided  for  in  Article  34(2)  and  (3)  of  that
Convention  are  attached  to  this  Decision.

Done  at  Brussels,  9  March  1998.

For  the  Council

The  President

G.  BROWN