Both the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the scientific community have raised concerns about the inadequate evidence-base used for decision-making within the UNCCD and in particular, the lack of quantitative evidence regarding its implementation.
The Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) has sought to develop reporting tools, to build the capacities of Parties in assessing the baseline and progress made against agreed performance indicators, and to establish a knowledge management system to inform and guide subsequent assessment of the implementation of UNCCD.
PRAIS has introduced the first ever online portal for a major MEA and for a Rio Convention reporting process. It provides the first authoritative baseline on the implementation of the Convention against its Operational Objectives. Moreover, PRAIS offers major cost-saving opportunities in the long-term and a promising entry point for streamlined reporting by all the Rio Conventions.
A fundamental characteristic of the new PRAIS system is its in-built learning through the concept of an ‘iterative process’, which acknowledges the need to continuously refine and improve the set of indicators being measured and other reporting requirements based on the best scientific knowledge available at the time and lessons learned from the experience.
Overall, PRAIS has been a successful pilot of the UNCCD performance indicators and provides the first baseline of the implementation of the Convention by Parties. Future improvements in reporting and analysis techniques during future iterations and addition of impact indicators will further improve the reliability and validity of results.
For more information:
Mr Simone Quatrini, Coordinator, Policy & Investment Analysis
Tel. +39 06 5459 2154
s.quatrini (at) global-mechanism.org
Murielle Misrachi
Ecosystem Assessment Programme
UNEP - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
Murielle.Misrachi (at) unep-wcmc.org
Prais Process (
