At the first meeting of the 17th session of the Committee on Science and Technology, held as part of COP17, participants discussed reducing drought and aridity risks and strengthening the link between scientific information, policy, and practical action on the ground. UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad emphasized: “Science must help us make better decisions today and build more resilient lands tomorrow.” Lisa Hartmann, Senior Researcher at UNU-EHS, who presented the technical guidance on drought and aridity planning, said: “The main challenge is not to create new programmes, but to connect the plans that have already been developed.”