OSS aims to provide a platform for partnership between countries and organisations in the North and South to combat desertification and poverty in Africa. Its work includes supporting the implementation of Agenda 21 and the environmental conventions in Africa, especially the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), following a decentralised approach.
The OSS action programme is structured around two majors axes – environmental monitoring and joint management of shared water resources. Climate change in the context of drought and desertification is a significant component of their work.