COP16 Conference Issues Over 35 Decisions to Enhance International Efforts to Reduce Land Degradation and Drought, the Kingdom Launches 3 Important Environmental Initiatives

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and President of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) Abdulrahman Alfadley said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to continuing efforts to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought during its presidency of the current session of the conference.

Alfadley made this statement in a speech at the conclusion of COP16 in Riyadh. The conference ended in over 35 decisions on important matters, including working to decrease land degradation and drought, migration, dust and sand storms, enhancing the role of science, research and innovation, and activating the role of women, youths, civil society, and indigenous peoples in confronting environmental challenges.

The conference also approved new topics to be included in the activities of the convention, such as pastures and sustainable agricultural food systems.

COP16 president expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for their unwavering support, which led to the Kingdom’s hosting this important international conference, and which reflects their commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development, as well as for their efforts to tackle environmental challenges, particularly desertification, land degradation, and drought.

He said the Kingdom was greatly successful in hosting this session, not least by attracting over 85,000 attendees, including representatives of international organizations, the private sector, civil society institutions, research centers, and indigenous peoples.

More than 900 activities were organized during the conference in the Blue and Green zones, making this session a historic turning point in mobilizing international momentum to speed up achieving the agreement’s goals to reduce land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.

Alfadley said that the Kingdom launched three important environmental initiatives at the conference, including the sand and dust storm monitoring initiative, the Riyadh global drought resilience partnership, which aims to support 80 countries most vulnerable to drought, and the business for earth initiative, designed to enhance the role of the global private sector in efforts to preserve land and reduce its degradation, while adopting sustainable management practices.

Various governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders participating in the conference announced numerous other initiatives.

Alfadley said regional donors announced that they will allocate $12 billion to support projects aimed at reducing land degradation and the impact of drought, and called upon the private sector and international financing institutions to take similar steps to collectively address global challenges affecting the environment, water, and food security for communities on different continents.

The COP16 president said the Kingdom hopes that the outcomes of this session will contribute to an important shift in efforts to preserve lands and reduce their degradation, and build capacities to confront drought, ultimately improving the well-being of communities worldwide.

He emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to joint international action to tackle environmental challenges and find innovative and sustainable solutions to land degradation, desertification, and drought. He also underscored the importance of investing in expanding green areas, cooperating to transfer modern experience and technologies, and launching initiatives and programs to boost partnerships between governments, private sector, local communities, financing institutions, and non-governmental organizations, as well as of establishing mechanisms to increase joint international action.

Alfadley also thanked the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification under-secretary-general and executive secretary, and all the Secretariat staff for their significant efforts in ensuring the success of this session.

He commended the active participation of all parties, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, and private sector in the conference and its activities.

He also thanked all national entities, private sector, and civil society organizations for their effective roles in making the conference a success, and acknowledged the substantial efforts made by representatives of the environment, water, and agriculture sectors, from the moment it was announced that the Kingdom was hosting this global event and throughout its duration.

The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, was held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, confirming the pioneering role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protecting the environment, both regionally and internationally.