The second International Conference on Climate, Sustainability and Development in Semi-Arid Regions began on Monday in Fortaleza, capital of the Brazilian state of Ceara. The meeting brings together policy makers, scientists and members of civil society to promote safe and sustainable development in semi-arid regions of the world. To support the possible Rio+20 in 2012 and other global public policy forums, ICID 2010 aims at maximizing the development effects of the existing conventions of the United Nations on climate change, biodiversity protection and the fight against desertification. The opening ceremony was attended by Coordinator of ICID 2010 Antonio Rocha Magalhaes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Luc Gnacadja, World Bank Director Makhtar Diop, Executive Secretary of Brazil's Ministry of Environment Jose Machado, and Governor of Ceara Cid Gomes. During the Conference, the Decade on Deserts and Combating Desertification will be launched. The initiative aims at promoting global discussion up to 2021 in search of alternatives to reduce environmental impacts in semi-arid ecosystems and desertification on the planet.