3. The priority in combating desertification should be the implementation of preventive measures for lands that are not yet degraded, or which are only slightly degraded. However, the severely degraded areas should not be neglected. In combating desertification and drought, the participation of local communities, rural organizations, national Governments, non-governmental organizations and international and regional organizations is essential. [Chapter 12, Para 3]

4. (f) Encouraging and promoting popular participation and environmental education, focusing on desertification control and management of the effects of drought. [Chapter 12, Para 4 (f)]

10. (c) Determine benchmarks and define indicators of progress that facilitate the work of local and regional organizations in tracking progress in the fight for anti-desertification. Particular attention should be paid to indicators of local participation. [Chapter 12, Para 10 (c)]

12. (a) Undertake and update existing inventories of natural resources, such as energy, water, soil, minerals, plant and animal access to food, as well as other resources, such as housing, employment, health, education and demographic distribution in time and space; [Chapter 12, Para 12 (a)]

17. (a) As regards areas not yet affected or only slightly affected by desertification, to ensure appropriate management of existing natural formations (including forests) for the conservation of biodiversity, watershed protection, sustainability of their production and agricultural development, and other purposes, with the full participation of indigenous people; [Chapter 12, Para 17 (a)]

43. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should undertake nationwide major anti-desertification awareness/training campaigns within countries affected through existing national mass media facilities, educational networks and newly created or strengthened extension services. This should ensure people's access to knowledge of desertification and drought and to national plans of action to combat desertification. [Chapter 12, Para 43]

F. Encouraging and promoting popular participation and environmental education, focusing on desertification control and management of the effects of drought [Chapter 12, Section F.]

55. The experience to date on the successes and failures of programmes and projects points to the need for popular support to sustain activities related to desertification and drought control. But it is necessary to go beyond the theoretical ideal of popular participation and to focus on obtaining actual active popular involvement, rooted in the concept of partnership. This implies the sharing of responsibilities and the mutual involvement of all parties. In this context, this programme area should be considered an essential supporting component of all desertification-control and drought-related activities. [Chapter 12, Para 55]

56. (d) To support local communities in their own efforts in combating desertification, and to draw on the knowledge and experience of the populations concerned, ensuring the full participation of women and indigenous populations. [Chapter 12, Para 56 (d)]

57. (d) Introduce legislative, institutional/organizational and financial measures to secure user involvement and access to land resources; [Chapter 12, Para 57 (d)]

57. (f) Develop training programmes to increase the level of education and participation of people, particularly women and indigenous groups, through, inter alia, literacy and the development of technical skills; [Chapter 12, Para 57 (f)]

57. (g) Create rural banking systems to facilitate access to credit for rural populations, particularly women and indigenous groups, and to promote rural savings; [Chapter 12, Para 57 (g)]

58. (a) Review, develop and disseminate gender-disaggregated information, skills and know-how at all levels on ways of organizing and promoting popular participation; [Chapter 12, Para 58 (a)]

59. (a) Develop programmes of support to regional organizations such as CILSS, IGADD, SADCC and the Arab Maghreb Union and other intergovernmental organizations in Africa and other parts of the world, to strengthen outreach programmes and increase the participation of non-governmental organizations together with rural populations; [Chapter 12, Para 59 (a)]