The 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) is being held in Panama from 1 to 5 December 2025, bringing together representatives of the 196 Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). However, a major and concerning issue is marking this edition: many African representatives were unable to attend, mainly due to difficulties in obtaining entry visas for Panama.This situation raises serious concerns, as key decisions for the continent risk being taken in its absence. Africa is one of the regions most affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought, and its reduced participation undermines the consideration of its priorities and realities in the discussions.Several national delegations, farmers’ organizations, technical institutions, and African civil society organizations had expressed their intention to actively take part in the work of CRIC23. However, complex consular procedures, long waiting times, the processing of travel documents and logistics, and the absence of Panamanian consular representation in many African countries have posed major obstacles.This situation reignites the debate on the need to facilitate access to major international meetings, particularly for countries that are most exposed to the impacts of climate change and land degradation. Babacar sene journal Agropasteur/babaclimat