Crucial negotiations on how to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought came to an end over the weekend with a number of decisions.
The United Nations land conference ended on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following two weeks of intense negotiations.
The nearly 200 countries convening at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16 ) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification committed to prioritise land restoration and drought resilience in national policies and international cooperation as an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation.
Nations also made significant progress in laying the groundwork for a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026.
In the meanwhile, more than USD 12 billion were pledged to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought around the world, especially in the most vulnerable countries.
Among the main agreements reached at COP16 were the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented.
COP16 was the largest as it attracted more than 20,000 participants, around 3,500 of them from civil society, and featured more than 600 events as part of the first Action Agenda to involve non-state actors in the work of the Convention.
UN deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed emphasised that their work does not end with the closing of COP16.
“We must continue to tackle the climate crisis—it is a call to action for all of us to embrace inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Youth and indigenous peoples must be at the heart of these conversations,” the deputy secretary general said.
“Their wisdom, their voices, and their creativity are indispensable as we craft a sustainable future with renewed hope for generations to come.”
COP16 President, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, said the meeting marked a turning point in raising international awareness of the pressing need to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.
“The kingdom’s hosting of this important conference reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development. It reaffirms its dedication to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought,” the minister said.
“We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world.”
by GILBERT KOECH