The Conference of the Parties (COP), the highest decision-making body for the UNCCD, established the CSO panel at its ninth session held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2009. The scope and mandate of the panel have been increased and modified by the COP through its decisions 5/COP9, 5/COP10, 5/COP11, 5/COP12, 5/COP13, and 5/COP14.

These decisions also revised the procedures for the participation and involvement of the CSOs and invited Parties, international and financial organizations, and relevant stakeholders to contribute to ensuring the participation of CSOs.

Furthermore, the CSO panel has been able to submit a report on its activities to the COP, enabling the civil society organizations to influence the discussion of the Parties and bring to the negotiations issues of relevance for the CSOs.