COP16 Initiatives Drive Global Investment in Land Restoration at ChangeNOW Summit in Paris

Through its presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leading the effort of 197 parties to drive global action against land degradation, desertification, and drought. Their efforts focus on mobilizing international cooperation and strengthening the involvement of financial institutions and the private sector in critical environmental challenges.
At the ChangeNOW 2025 Summit in Paris from April 24 to 26, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environment and COP16 advisor Dr. Osama Faqeeha delivered an address highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the global private sector to achieve the objectives of the Business for Land Initiative (B4L). This initiative, launched by the COP16 UNCCD Presidency, aims to support global efforts to restore land.
“COP16 in Riyadh was a moonshot moment for global ambition on desertification, land degradation, and drought. We are proud to have hosted this historic milestone and are fully committed to delivering on the decisions, partnerships, and initiatives announced during our Presidency’s term,” said Dr. Faqeeha.
The COP16 Presidency’s strong presence at the ChangeNOW 2025 Summit highlights its commitment to global environmental leadership and building partnerships to address urgent environmental and humanitarian issues. At the event, the COP16 delegation has a pavilion featuring major initiatives like the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, the Riyadh Action Agenda, and the Middle East Green Initiative. The team is also actively involved in panel discussions and workshops, exploring innovative land management strategies and drought resilience and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s environmental efforts—both nationally and worldwide.