TEHRAN – Tayebeh Mesbahzadeh, associate professor at the University of Tehran, was selected as a member of the Science-Policy Interface of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) was established at COP11 in 2013. The SPI works to translate scientific findings and assessments into policy-relevant recommendations. 

This includes collaboration with different scientific panels and bodies. It consists of globally selected independent scientists, regionally nominated independent scientists, policymakers (CST bureau members), and observers.

Mesbahzadeh is the first Iranian member of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa (UNCCD) is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris, France, on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996. It is the only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of desertification.

FB/MG