A way forward for global action on land and drought at the Riyadh conference – eSHOP24X7

Some 200 countries participated in the 16th conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), i.e. COP16.

These countries committed to making land restoration and drought tolerance a priority in national policies and international cooperation.

This issue has been considered an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation.

Although the parties could not agree on a new drought management system, a strong political declaration and 39 decisions were adopted that marked the way forward.

According to the UNCCD’s recently released World Drought Atlas and Economics of Drought Resilience reports, drought impacts the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people around the world, further marginalizing already vulnerable communities.

It also causes losses estimated at $300 billion a year, putting key economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water at risk.

Main results achieved at COP16:

• A prototype of the International Drought Resilience Observatory, the first AI-powered global platform to help countries assess and improve their capacity to cope with extreme drought, has been launched.
• Mobilize the participation of the private sector within the framework of the ‘Business for the Earth’ initiative.
• Create a mechanism for tribal peoples and local communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented.

“History has been made today,” said Oliver Tester, representative of Australia’s indigenous peoples. “We look forward to expanding our commitment to protecting Mother Earth through a dedicated system and setting off with confidence.” I’m listening.”

global drought system

The conference also made significant progress among countries on the issue of laying the foundations for a future global drought regime, with the intention of meeting at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026.

At COP16, more than 30 decisions were issued through the negotiation process on key issues, including migration, dust storms, enhancing the role of science, research and innovation, and empowering women to address environmental challenges.

Some decisions have added new issues to the agenda, including environmentally sustainable agri-food systems and the issue of grasslands, which cover 54 percent of all land. Grassland degradation alone threatens a sixth of the global food supply, potentially depleting a third of the Earth’s carbon reserves.

Additionally, commitments were made to mobilize $12 billion to address land-related challenges around the world, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.

The approximately two billion people currently living in grassland areas are among the most vulnerable in the world, facing conditions of desertification, land degradation and drought.

Now the work begins

The COP16 conference was the largest and most diverse COP conference ever held by the UNCCD. More than 20 thousand participants participated, of which around 3,500 were from civil society.

More than 600 events were organized as part of the first action agenda to involve actors and non-governmental organizations in the work of the conference.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said the work now begins.

“Our work does not end with the conclusion of COP16. We must continue to confront the climate crisis. This is a call to action for us all to embrace inclusion, innovation and resilience,” he told delegates.

He said youth and tribal people should be kept at the center of these conversations. “Their wisdom, their voices and their creativity are indispensable as we build a sustainable future, with new hope, for generations to come.”

UNCCD Executive Secretary Abraham Chiau, in his closing remarks, summarized a common message heard throughout COP16.

He said: “As we discussed and saw, the solutions are within our reach.”

“The actions we take today will shape not only the future of our planet, but also the lives, livelihoods and opportunities of the people who depend on it.”