#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #UNCCD #Drought

Saudi Arabia's Groundbreaking Drought Resilience Initiative

In an ambitious move to address the escalating crisis of drought across the globe, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with its partners, has announced the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership during the opening day of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This initiative marks a significant shift in how nations approach the challenges posed by drought.

Highlighting the importance of a proactive response, the Riyadh partnership aims to transition from merely reacting to drought crises to implementing preventative measures that can avert the devastating effects of such phenomena. This initiative is underlined by a commitment to enhance early warning systems, improve financing mechanisms, assess vulnerabilities, and mitigate drought risks through international cooperation.

Osama Faqeeha, Vice Minister of Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, emphasized the necessity for a global collaborative effort to build a resilient future in the face of increasing drought threats. He stated, "We are calling upon countries, corporations, organizations, scientists, NGOs, financial institutions, and communities to join us in this essential partnership to effect real change. It is not merely an environmental necessity but also an economically sound strategy to embrace proactive drought resilience. Together, we can mitigate the catastrophic impacts of drought."

The Riyadh Partnership is poised to serve as a central coordinating entity aimed at linking vulnerable nations and communities with existing resources. By fostering synergy among ongoing initiatives, the partnership seeks to maximize the impact of collective efforts while prioritizing the unlocking of new financing mechanisms for drought resilience. This includes enhancing access to credit options, equity financing, insurance products, and grants.

Moreover, to ensure sustainable operational support and long-lasting impacts, Saudi Arabia will fund the operational costs of the partnership's office for a minimum of ten years, reflecting its commitment to long-term resilience planning.

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, noted the global scope of the drought challenge, stating, "No nation is immune to drought; in fact, 85% of individuals affected by this phenomenon reside in low- or middle-income countries. In today’s interconnected world, it is our collective responsibility to alleviate the harsh repercussions of drought on communities worldwide. I am confident that the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will play a crucial role in mobilizing resources and political will toward a more resilient future."

Droughts impact nearly every region on the planet, with projections indicating 1.84 billion people will be affected in 2022 alone. Furthermore, over 55 countries are expected to declare drought emergencies between 2020 and 2023, as reported by the UNCCD. The situation remains critical, particularly as over 38% of declared lands in Africa and nearly 38% in Latin America and the Caribbean have suffered from drought between 2016 and 2019.

Drought is also a significant contributor to food and water insecurity, displacing millions and imposing crippling economic costs on affected nations. The UNCCD COP16, hosted in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, 2024, is set to focus on crucial multilateral actions including land restoration, drought resilience, land tenure, and the management of sand and dust storms.

This initiative by Saudi Arabia represents a critical step toward global collaboration to combat the pressing issue of drought and push forward a sustainable agenda that can withstand the challenges of climate variability for future generations.