It is composed of African and non-African states, sub-regional organisations devoted to combating desertification and attenuating the effects of drought (CILSS, IGAD, UMA...), United Nations organisations, intergovernmental organisations that contribute and/or adhere to the Statutes, and non-governmental organisatios that have been admitted according to procedures set out in the Statutes.

• favour synergy among the various players in the combat against desertification;
• create a context for sharing experiences, directed towards combined objectives, viz. mastering information technologies, greater access to common data bases, mutual benefits from know-how;
• active participation by all partners in implementing scientific and technical programmes that meet their needs.

Three federating axes form the scientific and technical platform for OSS actions:

• the mechanism for desertification observation, monitoring and evaluation (DOSE - Dispositif d'Observation, de Suivi et d'Evaluation de la Désertification),
• the Natural Resources Management Programme,
• the Research for Development Promotion Programme.

Through its programmes, OSS:

• ensures dissemination of results obtained to its partners and the maximisation of these results;
• enrols the scientists and institutional correspondents;
• develops all forms of information contained in expert networks of both the North and the South.