Since its adoption, the programme of work was considered for in-depth review at the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP). This in-depth review revealed that good progress is being made towards the achievement of adequate coverage of protected areas with the exception of the temperate grasslands biome.

The review did reveal that implementation is weak when considering trends in the abundance and distribution of selected species and the status and trends of linguistic diversity, including the numbers of speakers of indigenous languages in dry and sub-humid lands.

Decision VIII/2 of COP 8 calls for increased attention to climate change and governance and highlights the need for more detailed assessments to measure progress towards the achievement of the 2010 Biodiversity Target in dry and sub-humid lands.

A joint work programme with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification on dry and sub-humid lands was also adopted by the COP to both Conventions in acknowledgement of the fact that biodiversity loss can be both a cause and a consequence of desertification. The joint work programme seeks to address the multiple and increasing threats to dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity, including climate change.

Decision IX/17 of COP 9 calls for more information on traditional knowledge regarding the management and sustainable use of the biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands, experiences in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation, soil management and pastoralism and the impacts of drought on the biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands. It also requests the Executive Secretary to enhance cooperation and synergies concerning biodiversity, land degradation / desertification and climate change.

Decision X/35 of COP 10 urges Parties to integrate issues related to dry and sub-humid lands into the revised national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), national action programmes to combat desertification (NAPs), and national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). It also requests the Executive Secretary identify best practices to address conflicts between biodiversity conservation and sustainable use and pastoralism and agriculture in dry and sub-humid lands.

Joint Work Plan between the UNCCD and CBD secretatiats

The secretariats of the UNCCD and CBD agreed on a Joint Work Plan in an effort to enhance synergies at the national level and to support implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Ten-year Strategic Plan and Framework for the UNCCD.

Rio Conventions Pavilion: Linking biodiversity, climate change and sustainable land management

The Rio Conventions Pavilion, a collaborative outreach activity involving the Rio Convention secretariats, is a partnership platform for raising awareness and sharing information about the latest practices and scientific findings on the co-benefits that can be realized through implementation of the three Rio Conventions.

The Pavilion was convened at the CBD COP 10 (18-29 October 2010) in Nagoya, Japan, the UNFCCC meetings (29 November - 10 December 2010) in Cancun, Mexico, the UNCCD COP 10 in Changwon, Republic of Korea (10-21 October, 2011), the UNFCCC meetings in Durban, South Africa (28 November – 9 December 2011), as well at Rio+20, in Brazil in June 2012.