At the meeting, participants were informed about the world’s deserts and desertification both locally and globally, as well as relevant policies. Accordingly, Vietnam has 9.3 million hectares of uncultivated land, 7.85 million hectares of which are facing the strong danger of desertification. The country is actively implementing measures to prevent desertification, including increasing forest coverage, continuing the programme to plant 5 million hectares of forest, better using natural resources and conducting poverty reduction programmes in the rural area.

On the occasion, the Central Committee launched a movement to protect the environment, combining environmental protection activities with building a cultural lifestyle in residential areas, and participating in global environment programmes.

Vietnam became the 134^th member of the International Convention to Combat Desertification in November, 1998.