The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 2nd Scientific Conference will be held in Fortaleza, Brazil, during the 3rd special session of the Committee for Science and Technology (CST S-3). The scientific conference will be the main part of the CST session and will consider the theme "Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas," with a focus on two sub-topics: economic and social impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD); and costs and benefits of policies and practices addressing DLDD. Based on the February 2011 decision of the CST Bureau, the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos is the lead institution to organize the UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference, under the guidance of the CST Bureau. The expected outputs include: White Papers on the "Economic and social impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought" and "Costs and benefits of policies and practices addressing desertification, land degradation and drought;" a State of the Art Report on Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas; a Short Abstract Booklet and Extended Abstract CD of all oral and poster presentations; a Policy Booklet for Decision Makers for COP 11; 2013 Science Recommendation for CST 11; a Special issue of a peer reviewed journal; and Scientific papers in additional peer reviewed journals.These recommendations will be submitted to the CST and Conference of the Parties for their consideration.