#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #UNCCD #Land Restoration

Saudi Arabia Launches the Riyadh Action Agenda

In a major announcement at the UNCCD COP16 conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's Presidency has unveiled the Riyadh Action Agenda. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the pressing issues of land degradation, desertification, and drought resilience. The announcement came from Dr. Osama Faqeeha, the Deputy Minister for Environment, during his keynote speech on the fourth day of COP16, which coincided with Agri-food System Day.

The Riyadh Action Agenda is crafted to engage both state and non-state actors, emphasizing the involvement of diverse environmental stakeholders over the two-year span of Saudi Arabia's COP16 presidency. With its focus on fostering actionable solutions, the initiative seeks to positively impact everyone, from local farmers to indigenous communities.

Dr. Faqeeha emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "If we are to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience initiatives at the necessary pace and scale, it is critical we continue to mobilize and incentivize action long after COP16 concludes." This underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to being a global leader in land restoration efforts.

The context for this initiative is troubling; agriculture, while fundamental for food production, is the leading cause of land degradation. Current agricultural practices contribute to significant issues such as deforestation, high greenhouse gas emissions, and the alarming loss of biodiversity. According to the UNCCD, agriculture is responsible for approximately 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of deforestation, and makes up about 70% of freshwater usage.

Agri-food Systems Day hosted a variety of discussions aimed at creating multilateral solutions to the problems of unsustainable agricultural practices. Key topics included enhancing soil health, increasing crop resilience, and ensuring the availability of nutritious food. Dr. Faqeeha pointed out the irony of our situation, noting, "Around 95% of our food comes from the soil, and yet we continue to treat it like dirt."

The current unsustainable approach to land management is leading to the loss of around 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil annually. This degradation plays a pivotal role in fueling global food and water insecurity, affecting not just farmers with diminishing yields but also consumers facing rising prices for essential goods. The UNCCD has warned that by the year 2050, crop yields could drop by 10% globally, with the worst-hit regions suffering declines of up to 50%, leading to a projected 30% spike in food prices.

Addressing these challenges does not require new strategies; instead, reallocating harmful agricultural subsidies could provide immediate financial support for land restoration and the necessary changes to unsustainable practices.

The UNCCD COP16 conference, which will continue until December 13, 2024, at Boulevard Riyadh World, is themed Our Land. Our Future, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD. It aims to galvanize multilateral cooperation on critical concerns regarding drought resilience, land tenure rights, and combating sand and dust storms—a perilous trend linked to climate change.

As this significant conference unfolds, the Riyadh Action Agenda stands as a beacon of hope and a roadmap toward sustainable land management globally. For more information regarding the UNCCD COP16 and to register for events, interested individuals can visit the official website at UNCCDCOP16.org.