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This paper seeks to analyse some of the problems of degradation persisting in the dryland regions with particular reference to Sub-Saharan Africa, and describe the processes that aim to tackle them.It identifies the threat to dryland regions as a complex mixture of degrading soils, continuous exposures to frequent droughts and political and economic marginalisation which is putting poor people living in the drylands at risk. To understand the complexities of the current problems the authors critically review the historical debates and ecological concepts, surrounding the ideas of desertification and degradation and the assumptions on which they rest. Similarly explanations regarding the relationships between population, poverty, and environmental degradation are explored and different approaches towards tackling the problems in the drylands are discussed, with specific attention to the case of pastoralism.The paper then turns to describing and discussing the efforts of the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to implement policies and practices conducive to preventing degradation in the drylands. The authors position is that the UNCCD needs to review its primary aims to determine whether it is an environmental convention, or a convention aimed at developing the drylands. They argue strongly for the latter option putting forward the view that lack of international financial support is hampering progress and that the implementation of the CCD will be a difficult task unless the goals of development and poverty reduction in the drylands are endorsed as the cornerstones of the convention reflecting the priorities of the big donors.Some specific suggestions as to further contribitutions which Norway can make are also put forward.
