The 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. This significant gathering marked the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD and was a historic moment as it was the first time a Conference of the Parties was hosted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This region has been severely impacted by desertification, land degradation, and drought, making it an ideal location to address the pressing issues surrounding land sustainability. The overarching theme of COP16 was “Our Land. Our Future,” emphasizing the urgent need for global collaboration to protect and restore the planet’s land resources.
Record Participation and Inclusive Dialogue
COP16 saw unprecedented participation, making it the largest UN land conference to date. Representatives from 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union, attended the conference. The event placed a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring significant participation from diverse groups, including women and youth.
One of the key aspects of COP16 was the strong involvement of young people, building on the UNCCD’s Youth Engagement Strategy and Action Plan. Recognizing that youth will inherit the future of the planet, the conference aimed to amplify their voices and integrate their perspectives into the discussions on land and drought policies. Additionally, the conference highlighted the necessity of addressing discrimination against women and girls in land governance and policies.
The involvement of women was another central focus, with the conference reinforcing the importance of gender-sensitive policies to combat land degradation. Experts and policymakers stressed that securing women’s land rights is vital for sustainable land management, as women play a critical role in agriculture and natural resource conservation in many parts of the world.
Key Themes and Objectives
COP16 focused on several critical areas, each essential for achieving sustainable land use and combating desertification:
- Accelerating Land Restoration: Countries pledged to restore degraded lands by 2030, recognizing that healthier lands would improve food security, biodiversity, and economic stability.
- Enhancing Drought Resilience: Given the increasing frequency and severity of droughts worldwide, discussions centered around better preparedness and response strategies to mitigate their devastating effects.
- Climate and Biodiversity Solutions: Sustainable land management was highlighted as a key strategy to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Countries discussed ways to integrate land policies with broader environmental goals.
- Combating Sand and Dust Storms: These natural disasters are becoming more frequent due to climate change and land degradation. The conference examined scientific and policy-based approaches to mitigate their impact.
- Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Leaders emphasized the need for environmentally friendly farming techniques that can produce sufficient food without further harming the land.
- Strengthening Women’s Land Rights: Securing land tenure for women was recognized as a crucial factor in achieving sustainable land restoration efforts.
- Youth Engagement: Creating job opportunities in land restoration for young people was seen as an essential step toward ensuring long-term commitment and innovation in the field.
Financial Commitments and Private Sector Engagement
One of the major outcomes of COP16 was the commitment to significantly increase financial support for land restoration and drought resilience initiatives. It was noted that currently, only 6% of total funding for land restoration comes from the private sector. To address this gap, countries agreed to take proactive measures to attract private sector investments through innovative financial mechanisms and partnerships.
The UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism were tasked with mobilizing private sector engagement through the Business4Land initiative. This initiative aims to encourage businesses and investors to contribute to sustainable land management projects, ensuring that land restoration efforts receive long-term financial backing. By engaging the private sector, policymakers hope to unlock billions of dollars in new investments to combat desertification and land degradation.
Scientific Collaboration and Policy Implementation
Science played a pivotal role in shaping the discussions at COP16. The Science-Policy Interface (SPI), a key body under the UNCCD, was reinforced as an essential mechanism for bridging the gap between scientific research and policy implementation.
A major decision at COP16 was to explore the formation of a Global Science-Policy Alliance on Land. This initiative would aim to strengthen collaboration among international science-policy bodies, ensuring that the latest research on land degradation and restoration informs policymaking at all levels. Experts believe that this alliance could significantly improve global responses to land-related challenges by integrating scientific knowledge into national and international policies.
Challenges and Deferred Decisions
Despite the many positive outcomes, COP16 faced significant challenges. One of the most contentious issues was the proposal to establish a legally binding global framework to address drought. Many African nations strongly advocated for the adoption of a Drought Protocol, arguing that a legally binding agreement would provide a much-needed structured approach to managing drought impacts. However, due to political and technical disagreements among member states, the decision on this proposal was postponed to COP17, which will take place in Mongolia in 2026.
This delay disappointed many delegates and environmental organizations, who believe that urgent action is needed to combat the growing frequency of droughts worldwide. However, the discussions at COP16 laid the groundwork for continued negotiations and potential breakthroughs in future conferences.
Saudi Arabia’s Role and Regional Significance
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 underscored its growing commitment to environmental sustainability and land conservation. The Kingdom, which is significantly affected by desertification, has launched several initiatives to combat land degradation and promote green projects.
One of the key highlights was Saudi Arabia’s decision to join the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), an international partnership focused on using satellite data and earth observation technologies to address global environmental challenges. This move signals Saudi Arabia’s dedication to contributing scientific and technological solutions to combat desertification and climate change.
The Middle East and North Africa region faces some of the world’s most severe land degradation challenges, making Saudi Arabia’s participation in UNCCD efforts especially crucial. The country has pledged to lead regional efforts in land restoration, water conservation, and afforestation as part of its broader Vision 2030 environmental strategy.
Looking Ahead to COP17 in Mongolia
COP16 was a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management. The commitments and discussions made during the conference will help shape future policies and initiatives aimed at restoring degraded lands, enhancing drought resilience, and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
As the world prepares for COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, the momentum generated in Riyadh will be essential in driving forward the global land agenda. Policymakers, scientists, and environmental advocates will continue working together to refine strategies and ensure that ambitious goals set at COP16 translate into concrete actions on the ground.
While challenges remain, the outcomes of COP16 signal renewed global commitment to protecting the planet’s land resources. With continued collaboration, innovation, and financial investment, the world can move closer to achieving land sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and environmental degradation.
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