This partnership seeks to link inter-governmental processes in Southern Africa with activities of the Non-governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations. The partners commit to prepare and implement, disseminate information about, and follow-up to, activities supporting the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification. In particular, the partnership is, on a long-term basis, focusing on activities following-up to the WSSD. The partnership will additionally provide a series of constructive input to the process of establishing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Specifically, the partners will seek to engage in complementary activities, joint meetings, enhanced communication, information exchange and co-ordination, which will:
* Enhance the resources available for the implementation of the CCD;
* Promote desertification issues following-up to the Legislators'Conference and WSSD in 2002;
* Create awareness among politicians and legislators about the implementation of the CCD in SADC;
* Establish linkages between the three Conventions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, 1992;
* Assist communities affected by land degradation and poverty in building capacity for resilience and improved livelihood; and
* Enhance capacity within the NGO community to assist in implementing the Sub-regional and National Action Plans of the CCD.

Governments:
Government of Angola - Government of Angola
Government of Botswana - Government of Botswana
Government of Canada - Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Government of Democratic Republic of the Congo - Government of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Government of Lesotho - Government of Lesotho
Government of Malawi - Government of Malawi
Government of Mauritius - Government of Mauritius
Government of Mozambique - Government of Mozambique
Government of Namibia - Government of Namibia
Government of Seychelles - Government of Seychelles
Government of South Africa - Government of South Africa
Government of Swaziland - Government of Swaziland
Government of United Republic of Tanzania - Government of Tanzania
Government of Zambia - Government of Zambia
Government of Zimbabwe - Government of Zimbabwe

Major Groups:
Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) (South Africa)
Global Legislators Org. for a Balanced Environment (United States of America)
Zambia Alliance of Women (ZAW) (Zambia)

Other intergovernmental organizations:
The Global Mechanism of the UNCCD (Italy)
South African Development Community (SADC) (Botswana)