NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia has urged global policymakers to prioritize tackling land degradation, drought, and desertification in the lead-up to the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), set to take place in Riyadh this December. Speaking at the "Road to Riyadh" event during the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the need for decisive international action and outlined the roadmap for the upcoming COP. Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley, who will serve as the COP16 President, described the moment as "pivotal for our planet," stressing the importance of land restoration to ensure a prosperous future. AlFadley called on the global community to unite in curbing land degradation and promoting sustainable resource use. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia's leadership in environmental preservation, citing key initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the G20 Global Land Initiative. UNCCD data warns that, at the current rate, 1.5 billion hectares of land will need restoration by 2030 to meet the Land Degradation Neutrality targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. The COP16 meeting in Riyadh will focus on advancing concrete commitments to accelerate global restoration efforts. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw noted that land degradation and drought affect nearly half of the world's population, and COP16 will be a critical opportunity to enhance global drought resilience and large-scale land restoration. Thiaw underscored that the success of COP16 hinges on the ambition of all parties to reset humanity's relationship with the land for the benefit of future generations. With up to 40% of the world's land already degraded, and the frequency and intensity of droughts increasing by 29% since 2000, Saudi Arabia is calling for enhanced multilateral action to combat these environmental crises and protect vulnerable populations.
