The UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh has spotlighted the critical role of governance in addressing land degradation, drought, and desertification. Governance Day, a key event at the conference, emphasised the importance of local, regional, and international efforts in tackling these pressing issues. Discussions centred around water scarcity, advancing women’s land rights, and enhancing urban-rural linkages.
A significant highlight of the conference is the launch of the Riyadh Action Agenda, an initiative by Saudi Arabia’s UNCCD COP16 Presidency. This agenda aims to mobilise both state and non-state actors to enhance financing for land restoration and drought resilience, with a goal of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030. A declaration was made to engage local and regional governments in developing a roadmap to combat land degradation, drought, and desertification.
The Mayors Forum, featuring mayors, policymakers, and experts, underscored the role of local and regional governments in addressing these challenges. Participants advocated for enhanced cooperation and inclusive finance. Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya, Turkey, emphasised the need for resources and called for engagement of local leaders to combat land degradation and drought.
Walid Al-Akrish, Deputy for Projects for Riyadh Municipality, highlighted the challenges posed by population growth, rapid urbanisation, and unsustainable agricultural practices, which contribute to land degradation and biodiversity loss. The UN forecasts that 68% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050, intensifying the strain on resources and highlighting the importance of regional and local authorities.
An event on urban-rural linkages explored governance frameworks and financing tools to strengthen connections between rural producers and urban consumers. Dr Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, emphasised the need to localise decision-making to combat land degradation and enhance synergies between urban populations and rural producers.
The Riyadh Action Agenda is actively mobilising stakeholders to accelerate action on land restoration and drought resilience. It encourages countries, the private sector, and international organisations to join initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative and the Africa Great Wall or to champion new initiatives.
COP16 in Riyadh has already secured over $12 billion in funding pledges from major international organisations, amplifying the role of financial institutions and the private sector in combating land degradation, desertification, and drought. The conference also launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, marking a significant step forward in global efforts to address these environmental challenges.
