UNCCD COP16: World leaders gear up for landmark UN land & drought summit in Riyadh
In just two months, global attention will focus on land and drought resilience as the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December 2024.
As the first UNCCD COP to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region, this landmark event will be the largest and most ambitious summit on land and drought resilience, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of UNCCD, one of three Rio Conventions alongside climate and biodiversity.
Currently, up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, directly impacting 3.2 billion people. Additionally, droughts have increased in frequency and intensity by 29% since 2000, and by 2050, three-quarters of the global population could be affected by drought.
In a year of high-level environmental negotiations, with all three Rio Conventions holding crucial meetings between October and December in Cali, Baku and Riyadh, UNCCD COP16 will be a critical milestone in advancing global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification and drought, and promote sustainable development. Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” the conference will convene 197 Parties (196 countries and the European Union), experts and civil society to promote urgent action.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Riyadh 2024 is expected to be a turning point, a game-changer for the global land and drought resilience agenda. After many years of discussions and negotiations, countries are expected to agree on how to tackle the critical issue of drought. In Riyadh, Parties are also expected to move from pledges to concrete implementation on land restoration. Finally, COP16 will help us understand that land loss and water scarcity have a human face. The most vulnerable communities expect concrete results and bold decisions from this COP.”
At COP16, countries are expected to decide on collective actions to: Accelerate restoration of degraded land by 2030 and beyond; boost resilience to intensifying droughts and sand and dust storms; restore soil health and scale up nature-positive food production; secure land rights and promote equity for sustainable land stewardship; ensure that land continues to provide climate and biodiversity solutions; and unlock economic opportunities, including decent land-based jobs for youth.
The UNCCD COP16 will gather global leaders and high-level officials in a pivotal event aimed at accelerating land restoration and drought resilience through a people-centred approach.
Leaders’ Summit (2-3 December): At the invitation of Saudi Arabia, Heads of State, business executives, and global leaders will convene to address desertification, land degradation, and drought at the global and regional levels, focusing on actionable solutions.
Thematic Days: Land Day (4 December): Focus on the role of healthy land in addressing climate change, job creation, and poverty alleviation, with emphasis on nature-based solutions and private sector engagement.
Agri-Food Systems Day (5 December): Highlighting sustainable farming practices for resilient crops, healthy soils, and ecosystem protection.
Governance Day (6 December): Exploring inclusive land governance and policies to strengthen equitable land management.
People’s Day (7 December): Emphasizing the involvement of youth, women, and civil society in land-related decision-making.
Science, Technology & Innovation Day (9 December): Aims to accelerate scientific advancements for land health and resilience.
Resilience Day (10 December): Focus on policies and technologies that foster resilience to climate change.
Finance Day (11 December): Aims to showcase innovative financial mechanisms supporting land restoration and drought resilience.
