The phenomenon and process of desertification is one that is currently threatening one-third of the world's population from Algeria to China. In December 2006, the United Nations convened a large panel of expert researchers to create a set of new, and hopefully, more effective policies that will help international organizations, national governments, and other concerned parties deal with the very real threat of massive desertification. The report itself is 37 pages and contains sections like "Innovations to Mainstream Desertification in the Policy Agenda" and "Connecting Policies for Desertification, Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss". Fortunately, the report has a number of pragmatic solutions, including the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices, such as encouraging forests in dryland areas.