Introduction

The 70 NGOs, of fifteen countries of three continents. participating in the International Workshop "Part­ners Against Desertification", in the framework of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification, gathered in Kairouan between 28-30 March 1996:

• Considering the necessity to cover the absence of references of horizontal co-operations between NGOs within the framework of the implementation of the CCD;

• Considering the necessity to establish partnerships between NGOs In order to participate actively at the Convention;

• Conscious of the importance to facilitate the relationship between NGOs and NGOs and public institutions:

• Decide to establish a INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP CHARTER Against Desertification of the signatories NGOs.

Article One: Objectives. The NGOs undersigning the Charter are engaged to try to fulfill one or more of the following objectives:

1. Promotion of continuous follow-up of the problems and necessities of the involved populations in view to create a filling of confidence and respect with them, on a sustainable basis;

2. Sensitization of all the actors on the necessity to combat directly or indirectly the causes and consequences of desertification in a spirit of collaboration;

3. Exchange of information and experiences on the combat against desertification:

4. Consultation, cooperation and coordination North-South and South-South in undertaking actions for the fight against desertification with the perspective of sustainable development:

5. Development of the NGOs' competence to fulfill these objectives.

Article Two: Legal Status. The Inter-NGO Charter is a frame work agreement of moral nature and not compulsory, meant to serve as a framework directive for the establishment of more formal agreements on the collaboration between NGOs for the implementation of the International Convention of the fight against desertification.

Article Three: The Signatories. Parties of the Present Charter may become al I the NGO convinced of the provisions included in this Charter acting in conformity with the objectives of the Convention at a local, regional, national and international level without distinction of origin, size or mediums.

Article Four: The Charter's field of Action. The present Charter covers the entire field of interventions defined by the text and Annexes of the Convention including all the other field that contribute to the realisation of the objectives of the Charter itself within the limitations of the mediums and competencies of the signatories NGOs.

Article Five: Additions; Modifications. The dispositions of the present Charter may be modified after written application, motivated by one third of the signatories at the minimum, addresses to the depository.

Article Six: Depository. L' Association pour la Protection de la Nature et de I' Environnement de Kairouan (APNEK) is the depository of the Present Charter.

The charter was adopted at the International Workshop: "Partners Against Desertification", Kairouan. Tunisia, 28­30 March 1996.(Organised by: APNEK, ATPNE, EEB. MIO-ECSDE).

Desertification has became a major environmental issue in many parts of the Mediterranean region. With regard to this serious mater and also to the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) MIO-ECSDE participated in the organisation of an international NGOs workshop, in Kairouan together with APNEK, EEB and ATPNE The major outcomes of the workshop ware the adoption of the "Kairouan Charter on Desertification" by the NGOs and their agreement on the minimum conditions for the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Liaison Center / Combating Desertification (EMLC/CD).