The United Nations University programme

Through its Programme on the Use and Management of Natural Resources, the United Nations University has been attempting to identify critical problems of resource management that can be alleviated through research, training, and dissemination of knowledge. One of the initial three critical problems chosen was the ineffective application of knowledge to the management and development of arid lands.

A sub-programme on the Assessment of the Application of Knowledge to Arid Lands Problems was established in 1977 with the remit that "the reasons for inadequate and unsuccessful application of knowledge and experience must be identified as a basis for planning and for the optimum use of technology to improve human welfare." This was intended "to facilitate the basic desire of many arid land inhabitants to remain within such areas by providing them with services and enabling them to manage their resources for optimum productivity at the least social, capital and environmental cost."