IUCN is the oldest and largest global environmental organization in the world, growing with more than 15000 volunteer experts, 1000 owrkers and  almost 1,300 government and NGO members in 185 countries.

IUCN uses this immense humanitarian collaboration to safeguard natural resources, and deploy nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food, and development, this is accomplished by supporting scientific research, overseeing field projects around the world, and helping all parties involved in a project to reach agreed policies, regualtions and best practices 

IUCN in Smart DESERT adds significant value to the project’s implementation by leveraging its extensive network of members in the target countries to promote the Regional Dimension and ensure an integrated and complete implementation.