1. The Parties shall implement their obligations under this Convention, individually or jointly, either through existing or prospective bilateral and multilateral arrangements or a combination thereof, as appropriate, emphasizing the need to coordinate efforts and develop a coherent long-term strategy at all levels.

2.  In pursuing the objective of this Convention, the Parties shall:

adopt an integrated approach addressing the physical, biological and socio-economic aspects of the processes of desertification and drought;

give due attention, within the relevant international and regional bodies, to the situation of affected developing country parties with regard to international trade, marketing arrangements and debt with a view to establishing an enabling international economic environment conducive to the promotion of sustainable development

integrate strategies for poverty eradication into efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought

promote cooperation among affected country Parties in the fields of environmental protection and the conservation of land and water resources, as they relate to desertification and drought

strengthen subregional, regional and international cooperation

cooperate within relevant intergovernmental organizations.

determine institutional mechanisms, if appropriate, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication

promote the use of existing bilateral and multilateral financial mechanisms and arrangements that mobilize and channel substantial financial resources to affected developing country Parties in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought.

3. Affected developing country Parties are eligible for assistance in the implementation of the Convention.

In addition to their obligations pursuant above, affected country Parties undertake to:

give due priority to combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought, and allocate adequateresources in accordance with their circumstances and capabilities

establish strategies and priorities, within the framework of sustainable development plans and/or policies, to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought

address the underlying causes of desertification and pay special attention to the socio-economic factors contributing to desertification processes

promote awareness and facilitate the participation of local populations, particularly women and youth, with the support of nongovernmental organizations, in efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought

provide an enabling environment by strengthening, as appropriate, relevant existing legislation and, where they do not exist, enacting new laws and establishing long-term policies and action programmes.

Developed country Parties undertake to:

actively support,as agreed, individually or jointly, the efforts of affected developing country Parties, particularly those in Africa, and the least developed countries, to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought

provide substantial financial resources and other forms of support to assist affected developing country Parties,particularly those in Africa, effectively to develop and implement their own long-term plans and strategies to  combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought

promote the mobilization of new and additional funding

encourage the mobilization of funding from the private sector and other non-governmental sources

promote and facilitate access by affected country Parties, particularly affected developing country Parties,to appropriate technology, knowledge and know-how.