Desertification has been recognized as a major environmental problem for more than 20 years. Control of desertification has been the subject of many international efforts; it has been a major focus of UNEP and there is a UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Despite this, control of desertification is considered by many observers to have been afailure. This paper reviews the history of formalized efforts to combat desertification, looks at the lessons that should be learned, and identifies opportunities for establishing closer links between desertification and other aspects of global change research. Keywords: Desertification, United Nations, rnLand degradation, Climate change, Arid zones.