RIYADH — Saudi Arabia called on the international community to deliver robust action on drought resilience and land restoration. The Kingdom's clarion call came in the context of the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which will kick off in Riyadh from Dec. 2. Saudi Arabia will assume the next UNCCD Presidency at the conference. The appeal comes as data highlights the urgency of the crisis, with an area of land larger than the Republic of Ireland, more than 71,000 square kilometers, expected to be degraded in the world before the start of the conference. Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency Dr. Osama Faqeeha said: "COP16 in Riyadh is a critical moment for the international community to address land degradation if we are to meet the UNCCD target of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030. As the hosts, we are calling on all parties to come to Riyadh ready to increase their ambition by strengthening land restoration targets, bolstering drought resilience initiatives, and enhancing land tenure rights." Countries have been adopting voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets since 2015, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, over 130 countries have participated in the LDN Target Setting Program, with more than 100 having already chosen their targets. Saudi Arabia's incoming UNCCD Presidency will be an occasion to seek to increase the number of countries signed up to LDN targets, and strengthen their ambition and implementation. UNCCD estimates that $44 trillion of economic output – more than half of global annual GDP – is moderately or highly reliant on natural capital. Meanwhile, every dollar invested in restoration could yield up to $30 in economic returns, unlocking a potential trillion-dollar restoration economy. To help overcome challenges, COP16 in Riyadh will be the first UNCCD COP to feature a Green Zone. The Green Zone will provide a platform for businesses, scientists, financial institutions, NGOs, the public, and impacted communities to collaborate on finding lasting solutions. Seven thematic days will be held during the conference to help hone dialogue and outcomes, with topics including land restoration, governance, agri-food systems, resilience, finance and science, technology and innovation.
