RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s COP16 Presidency has achieved a significant milestone by hosting the largest meeting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to date, successfully mobilizing state and non-state actors to address the pressing issues of land degradation, desertification, and drought. The conference, held in Riyadh, has culminated in the formation of strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering land restoration and drought resilience initiatives, while heightening global awareness of these critical environmental challenges.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, under Saudi Arabia’s leadership, introduced the Riyadh Action Agenda to foster sustained contributions and actions towards global drought resilience and land restoration. The agenda has already engaged over 100 new and existing initiatives, marking a policy priority for the upcoming two years of Saudi Arabia’s presidency. The strategy involves collaboration with countries, the private sector, financi
al institutions, international organizations, and NGOs to either reinforce existing efforts or initiate new projects to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought.
The Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, Dr. Osama Faqeeha, emphasized the global impact of the Riyadh Action Agenda, noting that the COP16 event in Riyadh is only the start of its influence. He highlighted the ongoing engagement with diverse stakeholders, including investors, NGOs, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and farmers, to ensure a lasting global legacy.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the first-ever UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa region, which showcased innovative solutions and regional leadership on land and drought issues. The conference attracted over 24,000 registered participants and featured more than 600 events, marking the first Action Agenda to involve
non-state actors in the convention’s work.
The Riyadh conference secured over $12 billion in funding pledges from international organizations, elevating the role of financial institutions and the private sector in addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought. The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, launched during the event, has already mobilized over $2 billion for drought resilience, targeting the 80 countries most vulnerable to drought.
Dr. Faqeeha explained that the partnership aims to transform global drought management by promoting early warning systems, financing, vulnerability assessments, and drought risk mitigation, urging worldwide collaboration from various sectors to join this pivotal initiative.
The conference featured seven thematic days, including Land Day, Agri-food System Day, and Finance Day, engaging over 57,000 participants in thousands of events and discussions. Saudi Arabia announced the REMDY project, an AI-driven platform for land health assessment, and launc
hed a sand and dust storm monitoring initiative, pledging $10 million to enhance early warning systems in affected countries.
The UNCCD released several publications during COP16, highlighting the $278 billion annual funding deficit for land restoration and drought resilience and the expansion of global drylands. Advisor Faqeeha stressed the importance of addressing these urgent issues and the need for international action to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience efforts.
The COP16 Presidency aims to intensify engagement with public and private sectors to mobilize resources, enhance collaboration, and restore land in the coming years.