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The ESA DesertWatch project goal was to develop an Information System for assessing and monitoring desertification using EO technologies, in order to support local authorities in reporting to the UNCCD. The project has selected the most robust and reliable methodologies developed during the related research projects, integrating them into a unique environment, which is easy to use, as automatic as possible, and cost effective. The system outputs consist in a series of desertification indicators and products, generated at regional, national and sub-national scale. For demonstration purposes these products have been implemented over large areas of Portugal, Italy and Turkey for the years 1984, 1994 and 2004. The validation phase has shown that the results are in line with the user requirements. The system has been much appreciated by the final users and will physically be utilized by various national and local authorities. The possibility of expanding the system in extra-European countries is under evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]