BRICS leaders emphasized the need for increased financial resources and stronger partnerships to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, ahead of the upcoming UN environment conference in Saudi Arabia this December. The leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE acknowledged that these environmental challenges "pose serious threats to the well-being and livelihoods of people and the environment." They called for "integrated policies" to effectively tackle these interconnected issues, while recognizing ongoing efforts in sustainable land management. This statement coincides with Saudi Arabia's preparations to host the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) in Riyadh from December 2 to 13. According to UNCCD data, land degradation currently affects 40 percent of the planet and impacts 3.2 billion people globally. Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to COP16 Presidency, welcomed the BRICS leaders' statement. He stated, "This reflects the increasing urgency to slow and ultimately reverse the trend of degrading land worldwide." He added, "At COP16 in Riyadh, we will work to forge new partnerships that can accelerate land restoration and drought resilience efforts, particularly in vulnerable regions. Land degradation, drought, and desertification impact almost every corner of the planet, exacerbating forced migration and worsening global food and water insecurity. It is imperative that the international community addresses the root causes of these issues at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh." The conference is expected to be the largest UNCCD COP to date and will feature the first-ever Green Zone, which aims to create a dedicated platform for collaboration and innovation, enhancing the role of the private sector in land restoration efforts. The UNCCD aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, and it is estimated that every dollar invested in land restoration can yield up to $30 in economic returns. — SG
