Saudi Arabia is taking a leading role in addressing land degradation, drought, and desertification as it gears up to host the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh this December. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the importance of international action in tackling these issues during the recent “Road to Riyadh” event at the UN General Assembly. Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley, who will preside over COP16, described the upcoming meeting as a pivotal moment for the planet, stressing the need for land restoration for a prosperous future. He called on the global community to come together to combat land degradation and promote sustainable resource use, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in environmental preservation through initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the G20 Global Land Initiative.
According to UNCCD data, 1.5 billion hectares of land will need restoration by 2030 to meet the Land Degradation Neutrality targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. COP16 in Riyadh will focus on securing concrete commitments to accelerate global restoration efforts. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized that land degradation and drought affect nearly half of the world’s population, making COP16 a critical opportunity to enhance global drought resilience and large-scale land restoration. Thiaw stressed that the success of COP16 depends on the ambition of all parties to reset humanity’s relationship with the land for the benefit of future generations.
With 40% of the world’s land already degraded and the frequency and intensity of droughts on the rise, Saudi Arabia is urging for increased multilateral action to address these environmental challenges and protect vulnerable populations. COP16 will serve as a platform to advance global efforts in combating land degradation and promoting sustainable resource management. The Saudi Green Initiative and the G20 Global Land Initiative are just some of the key initiatives that demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development. By hosting COP16, Saudi Arabia aims to galvanize international support and cooperation in tackling land degradation, drought, and desertification for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
In conclusion, the upcoming COP16 meeting in Riyadh presents a crucial opportunity for the global community to come together and address the pressing issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. With the planet facing increasing environmental challenges, it is more important than ever for countries to take decisive action to protect the land and promote sustainable resource management. Saudi Arabia is leading the way in advocating for enhanced international cooperation to combat these issues and ensure a more sustainable future for all. The success of COP16 will depend on the commitment and ambition of all parties to work together towards resetting humanity’s relationship with the land for the benefit of future generations. As the world looks towards Riyadh this December, the focus will be on advancing concrete commitments to accelerate global restoration efforts and enhance global drought resilience for the well-being of people and the planet.
