UN declares COP16 in Saudi Arabia to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought crisis

UN's COP16 Starts in Saudi Arabia as Global Leaders Tackle Land Degradation

The world's eyes are on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as it hosts the largest gathering in the history of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from December 2nd to 13th, 2024. This conference, known as COP16, brings together dignitaries, policymakers, scientific communities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world to confront pressing issues related to land degradation, desertification, and drought.

As warming temperatures and climate change continue to devastate ecosystems, this gathering aims to forge a cohesive global approach to these challenges. With nearly 40% of the Earth's land suffering from degradation, affecting over 3.2 billion people, COP16 endeavors to mobilize immediate action towards sustainable solutions.

The Agenda and Highlights

From the outset, the agenda is packed with high-level summits, dialogues, and actionable strategies. On December 2nd, the Saudi presidency will launch the “Riyadh Initiative for Drought Resilience,” focusing on creating a global framework for improving resilience to drought and advocating proactive measures.

Among the key events, a notable summit, “One Water,” will convene on December 3rd to address the increasing global water scarcity crisis. This summit, previously announced on the sidelines of COP28, will feature prominent leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga. Together, they aim to enhance global governance over water management amidst increasing scarcity.

Additionally, the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum will take place concurrently, drawing hundreds of political leaders and industry experts to discuss advancements in energy and environmental stewardship. This forum will not only share best practices but also set forward-looking targets for the future.

A separate International Forum on Greening Technologies is scheduled from December 6th to 8th, featuring sessions dedicated to exploring innovative solutions and lessons learned from various global greening projects.

Urgent Call to Action

Resonating with urgency, Osama Faqeeha, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Environment, emphasized the need to confront soil degradation and desertification. He stated, “It’s time to address land degradation, drought, and desertification. For too long, these global crises have gone unrecognized on the international stage.” Faqeeha, as a host, is committed to galvanizing collective international efforts towards sustainable solutions.

The conference represents a pivotal opportunity to intensify actions, leveraging partnerships that bring together governments, non-state actors, businesses, and civil society for meaningful progress. Nigel Topping, founder of Ambition Loop, highlights the ambition of COP16, stating, “The action plan is a bold vision aiming to mobilize collective energies across diverse sectors to achieve measurable advancements against land degradation.”

Historical Significance

This iteration of the COP16 marks several firsts—it is the first time the conference is being hosted in the Middle East and features a dedicated green zone aimed at environmental solutions. As one of the largest multilateral conferences ever held in Saudi Arabia, it underscores the country's commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges.

With alarming statistics showing that every year, 100 million hectares of land are lost to degradation—with drought occurrences increasing by nearly a third since 2000—the stakes are undeniably high. The conference embodies a historic step towards addressing these issues urgently while celebrating the convention's 30th anniversary under the motto, “Our Land. Our Future.”

For more information on the UNCCD COP16 or to express interest in participating in the green zone, visit UNCCDCOP16.org.