As the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, representatives emphasized the need for stronger action to address the growing frequency and severity of global droughts. Countries reported that droughts are becoming a common occurrence in their regions, with increasing intensity not seen before.
Building on the progress of COP15, which took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in May 2022, COP16 saw decisions from both subsidiary bodies finalized for implementation. Outgoing COP15 President Alain-Richard Donwahi of Côte d’Ivoire highlighted significant progress in combating land degradation, with a focus on innovation, financing, and the involvement of local communities, women, and youth.
The UNCCD aims to avert the worsening crisis, as human activities continue to exacerbate climate change, driving land degradation. Between 2015 and 2019, an estimated 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land were lost annually. If this trend continues, an additional 1.5 billion hectares of land could be degraded by 2030.
COP16 was a pivotal moment, particularly as it was held in Riyadh, a region grappling with desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). The conference emphasized the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG15), which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, Target 15.3 of SDG15 focuses on combating desertification, restoring degraded land and soil, and striving to achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030.
The SDGs are interlinked, and the implementation of the UNCCD’s roadmap for the next 15 years supports climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, food and water security, disaster risk reduction, and poverty alleviation.
COP16 President Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, noted that the Middle East is one of the regions most affected by DLDD. He called on member states to embrace international partnerships and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Member states emphasized the need for early warning systems and efficient, resilient water systems, including the use of water-saving technologies and advanced irrigation methods. Many stressed the need for financial support to address reduced soil fertility, livestock losses, and the compounded effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and drought on communities.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized that land degradation and drought affect all life on earth, threatening food and energy security, forcing migration, and hindering trade. He called on member states to ensure that COP16 is remembered as the conference that adopted decisive measures to address drought. “USD 1 billion per day is needed to support land restoration by 2030, while USD 2.6 trillion is spent annually to subsidize activities that harm the environment,” said Thiaw.
The issue of financing was a central focus, with member states noting that restoration capacity is limited due to inadequate financial resources. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell referenced the climate finance goal agreed upon at UNFCCC COP29, urging multilateral development banks to align their funding with national implementation goals across the Rio Conventions.
