The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is taking place from December 2 to 10 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the urgent focus on addressing land degradation. The summit has been described as a pivotal moment in the global fight to protect and restore land, highlighting the need for drought resilience and sustainable land management. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, a vital international agreement that aims to combat desertification and land degradation, two interconnected crises exacerbated by climate change and biodiversity loss. The conference is gathering world leaders, environmental experts, and community representatives to find solutions to the growing threat of land degradation.
Land Degradation Threatens Global Stability
According to the UNCCD, an alarming 40% of the world’s land is degraded, directly impacting half of humanity, especially rural and impoverished communities. Land degradation not only reduces soil fertility but also compromises food security and biodiversity. The consequences are far-reaching: droughts and other extreme weather events have been increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, affecting agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. This year’s COP16 comes at a critical time, with many regions, from Latin America to Southern Africa, facing the devastating effects of drought.
The summit has underscored that tackling land degradation requires a coordinated global response, with both governmental and non-governmental organizations playing a role. Addressing this issue is not just an environmental necessity but also an economic and social one. Vulnerable communities, especially in developing nations, bear the brunt of these environmental disasters. COP16 seeks to set the stage for stronger international collaboration, making resilience-building a key agenda.
Key Topics on the COP16 Agenda
At the heart of COP16’s discussions are several critical topics that aim to curb land degradation and build long-term solutions for a sustainable future. These discussions include drought resilience, land degradation neutrality, and food system transformation.
Building Drought Resilience
Droughts, intensified by poor land management and climate change, are becoming an increasing threat to global food security and water supplies. In response, COP16 will launch the International Drought Resilience Observatory, a cutting-edge, artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to help governments and organizations track and enhance their drought resilience efforts. By providing real-time data and visualizing resilience indicators, the Observatory will empower decision-makers with actionable insights.
Saudi Arabia, the host of COP16, is also expected to announce the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which aims to enhance international collaboration in addressing droughts. This partnership will focus on providing support to the most vulnerable ecosystems, communities, and economies, especially those in developing nations. This global initiative is a crucial step toward preventing future crises and reducing the long-term impact of droughts on livelihoods.
Land Degradation Neutrality
Another major focus of COP16 is achieving land degradation neutrality. The UNCCD’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) initiative is a global commitment to halt and reverse land degradation by 2030. Currently, 131 countries have signed on to this initiative, underscoring the worldwide consensus that urgent action is needed to combat land degradation. Through efforts such as the Changwon Initiative, countries are working together to set national targets and share knowledge and resources to restore degraded land.
The importance of land restoration cannot be overstated. By rehabilitating damaged landscapes, nations can restore biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and boost agricultural productivity. COP16 will encourage further progress in this area, with an emphasis on scaling up technical assistance and support for countries that are most affected by land degradation. The goal is to create a comprehensive framework for land restoration that will benefit ecosystems and people alike.
Transforming Food Systems for Sustainability
Agriculture is a major driver of land degradation, with unsustainable farming practices such as deforestation and excessive water use contributing to the depletion of natural resources. At COP16, global leaders will focus on transforming food systems to promote sustainability. This includes encouraging practices like agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and the use of innovative techniques such as drip irrigation to reduce water consumption and improve soil health.
The land degradation caused by agricultural expansion has already led to the clearing of vast areas of grasslands and savannahs. This trend threatens the biodiversity of these ecosystems and reduces the land’s ability to support agricultural production. COP16 will explore ways to change farming practices to make them more sustainable and resilient to climate change, ensuring that food production can continue without further damaging the environment. Sustainable agriculture is a key part of the broader effort to achieve land degradation neutrality.
Mitigating Sand and Dust Storms
Sand and dust storms, which have become more frequent and intense in recent years, are a direct result of land degradation and climate change. These storms not only cause destruction to crops and infrastructure but also pose significant health risks, affecting both people and animals. COP16 will address how better land management practices, such as reforestation and soil conservation, can mitigate the frequency and severity of sand and dust storms.
Early warning systems for dust storms will also be a key discussion point at the conference. These systems can help communities prepare for and respond to the impacts of these storms, which are becoming increasingly unpredictable. By enhancing resilience and adapting to the changing climate, COP16 aims to reduce the adverse effects of these environmental hazards.
Addressing Gender Inequality in Land Management
A critical issue that will be addressed at COP16 is gender inequality in land management. Despite their significant role in the global food system, women own less than 20% of the world’s land, limiting their access to resources like credit, education, and decision-making power. This inequality exacerbates the vulnerability of women and marginalized communities, especially in rural areas where land is a critical resource.
The summit will call for the adoption of gender-positive policies, including the promotion of equal land tenure rights for women. Empowering women to take on leadership roles in land management is essential for creating more resilient and sustainable ecosystems. By addressing these gender disparities, COP16 hopes to improve the overall effectiveness of land restoration and drought resilience efforts.
The Role of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) is another vital initiative that ties into the themes of COP16. This global call to action aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. With support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Decade focuses on restoring billions of hectares of land, both terrestrial and aquatic, to safeguard biodiversity and enhance resilience to climate change.
During COP16, participants will discuss how the UN Decade can be leveraged to accelerate land restoration efforts. By combining political will, scientific research, and financial investment, the Decade provides a platform for scaling up restoration activities worldwide. This initiative aligns closely with the goals of the UNCCD and the global effort to combat land degradation and its impacts on vulnerable communities.
Global Financial Commitments to Drought Resilience
A major highlight of COP16 has been the establishment of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which has already secured a $2.15 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC Fund for International Development. This financial backing will help support drought resilience in the most vulnerable countries, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
The partnership aims to shift the focus from reactive relief measures to proactive preparedness. By providing both financial and technical support, the partnership will enhance national and international efforts to build drought resilience. This initiative will complement ongoing efforts by the UNCCD and other international bodies to mitigate the impacts of drought and land degradation.
COP16 is a critical moment in the global effort to address land degradation and build resilience to drought. With the support of international organizations, governments, and communities, the summit aims to chart a path toward a more sustainable and equitable future. By focusing on restoring land, promoting sustainable food systems, and empowering vulnerable communities, COP16 provides an opportunity to take bold and decisive action on one of the planet’s most pressing challenges. As the world faces an increasingly unpredictable climate, the decisions made at this conference will have a lasting impact on the future of land management and global sustainability.
