from a range of public and privatesources.207.We reaffirm our resolve under the United Nations Convention to CombatDesertification (UNCCD) to take coordinated action nationally,regionally and internationally, to monitor, globally, landdegradation and restore degraded lands in arid, semi-arid and dry subhumid areas. We resolve to support and strengthen the implementationof the UNCCD and its 10-Year Strategic Plan and Framework(2008-2018), including through mobilizing adequate, predictable andtimely financial resources. We note the importance of mitigating theeffects of desertification, land degradation and drought, includingby preserving and developing oases, restoring degraded lands,improving soil quality and improving water management, in order tocontribute to sustainable development and poverty eradication. Inthis regard, we encourage and recognize the importance ofpartnerships and initiatives for the safeguarding of land resources. We also encourage capacity building, extension training programmes,and scientific studies and initiatives aimed at deepeningunderstanding and raising awareness of the economic, social andenvironmental benefits of sustainable land management policies andpractices.208.We stress the importance of the further development andimplementation of scientifically based, sound and socially inclusivemethods and indicators for monitoring and assessing the extent ofdesertification, land degradation and drought, as well as theimportance of efforts underway to promote scientific research andstrengthen the scientific base of activities to addressdesertification and drought under the UNCCD. In this respect, we takenote of the decision of the COP10 of the UNCCD to establish an ad hocWorking Group, taking into account regional balance, to discussspecific options for the provision of scientific advice to itsParties.209.We reiterate the need for cooperation through the sharing of climateand weather information, and forecasting and early warning systemsrelated to desertification, land degradation and drought, as well asto dust storms and sandstorms, at the global, regional andsub-regional levels. In this regard, we invite States and relevantorganizations to cooperate in the sharing of related information,forecasting and early warning systems.Mountains210. We recognize that the benefits derived from mountain regions areessential for sustainable development. Mountain ecosystems play acrucial role in providing water resources to a large portion of theworlds population; fragile mountain ecosystems are particularlyvulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, deforestationand forest degradation, land use change, land degradation, andnatural disasters; and mountain glaciers around the world areretreating and getting thinner with increasing impacts on theenvironment and human well-being.211.We further recognize that mountains are often home to communities,including indigenous peoples and local communities, who havedeveloped sustainable uses of mountain resources. They are, however,often marginalized, and we therefore stress that continued effortwill be required to address poverty, food security and nutrition,social exclusion and environmental degradation in these areas. Weinvite States to strengthen cooperative action with effectiveinvolvement and sharing of experience of all relevant stakeholders,by strengthening existing arrangements, agreements, and centers ofexcellence for sustainable mountain development, as well as exploringnew arrangements and agreements, as appropriate.212. Wecall for greater efforts toward the conservation of mountainecosystems, including their biodiversity. We encourage States toadopt a long-term vision and holistic approaches, including throughincorporating mountain-specific policies into national sustainabledevelopment strategies which could include, interalia,poverty reduction plans and programmes in mountain areas,particularly in developing countries. In this regard, we call forinternational support for sustainable mountain development indeveloping countriesChemicalsand waste213.We recognize that sound management of chemicals is crucial