Regional coordination mechanism of the UNCCD for Asia and the Pacific:

The Regional Implementation Annex for Asia1 , the Annex II of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), provides the mandate and basis for regional approaches and coordination in the implementation of the Convention in Asia and the Pacific (AP)2 . This document first reviews the past activities undertaken at national, subregional and regional levels in the region since the adoption of the Convention in 1994, and then the role, functions and past activities of the Asia-RCU since it became operational in January 2001. The achievements as well as the gaps of the Asia-RCU are highlighted.