COP16 in Riyadh: World Leaders Unite to Combat Land Degradation and Drought

The largest-ever meeting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is set to commence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 2, 2024, as global leaders seek urgent multilateral solutions to the escalating crises of land degradation, desertification, and drought. Running until December 13, the conference, known as COP16, will gather dignitaries, policymakers, global institutions, businesses, NGOs, and key stakeholders in the Saudi capital. This critical summit aims to accelerate global land restoration and drought resilience initiatives, marking a pivotal moment in international environmental cooperation.

Context and Background

Land degradation affects nearly 40% of the planet, impacting the lives of over 3.2 billion people, according to the UNCCD. Every year, 100 million hectares of land are degraded, while the frequency and intensity of droughts have increased by nearly a third since 2000. COP16 in Riyadh is the first UNCCD conference to be held in the Middle East region, the first to feature a Green Zone, and the largest multilateral conference ever hosted by Saudi Arabia. The conference seeks to address these pressing challenges through coordinated global action, building on the Kingdom’s growing role as a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Key Details and Initiatives

The opening days of COP16 will feature several high-profile summits, ministerial dialogues, and announcements. On December 2, Saudi Arabia’s UNCCD Presidency will launch the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative, a groundbreaking effort to accelerate international action on drought resilience and foster a more cohesive, proactive global approach. The high-level One Water Summit, originally announced on the sidelines of COP28 in partnership with Saudi Arabia, will take place on December 3. Co-hosted with the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, the summit aims to enhance global water governance and address water scarcity challenges. In parallel, the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum (December 2-3) will bring together hundreds of policymakers and experts in the COP16 Green Zone to share best practices and explore progress on energy and environmental tracks. The Second International Forum on Greening Technologies will follow from December 6-8, showcasing scientific research and restoration project innovations.

Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, emphasized the urgency: “This is a critical moment to address land degradation, drought and desertification. For too long, these devastating global crises have not received the attention they deserve internationally. As hosts, we welcome the world to Riyadh to help find lasting solutions.” He added that COP16 will mobilize multilateral action through the largest UNCCD conference to date. Saudi Arabia’s Presidency will also strengthen the Action Agenda by encouraging governments and non-state actors—including businesses, farmers, regions, cities, financial institutions, investors, civil society, and indigenous peoples—to champion initiatives delivering lasting solutions. Nigel Topping, Ambition Loop Founder and former UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP26, noted: “The Action Agenda under COP16 sets out an ambitious vision and goals to harness the collective energies of non-state actors… to catalyze practical solutions and drive measurable progress towards the goals of the UNCCD.”

International Impact and Implications

COP16’s location in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategic role as a convenor for global environmental action. The conference addresses challenges that transcend borders, from water scarcity in arid regions to desertification affecting agricultural productivity worldwide. The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative and the One Water Summit signal a shift toward integrated, proactive governance, while the involvement of world leaders like President Macron and President Tokayev highlights the international commitment to these goals. By hosting the first Middle Eastern UNCCD COP, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a bridge between developed and developing nations, fostering partnerships that can translate into tangible land restoration projects and drought mitigation strategies.

Vision 2030 Alignment

COP16 aligns directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing environmental sustainability, economic diversification, and global leadership. The Saudi Green Initiative, a cornerstone of Vision 2030, aims to plant 10 billion trees and restore vast areas of degraded land, directly supporting UNCCD goals. Hosting COP16 reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a hub for innovation and international cooperation in environmental technologies. As Saudi Arabia continues to implement its ambitious national transformation plan, this conference serves as a platform to showcase progress, attract investment in green technologies, and strengthen partnerships that contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. The outcomes of COP16 are expected to accelerate global efforts to combat land degradation, securing a resilient legacy for generations to come.

20 Questions

Q1. What is UNCCD COP16?

A1. UNCCD COP16 is the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, a major international conference focused on addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought through multilateral action.

Q2. Where is COP16 being held?

A2. COP16 is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. It is the largest UNCCD conference ever held and the first in the Middle East region.

Q3. Why is COP16 important?

A3. COP16 is critical because land degradation affects nearly 40% of the planet and over 3.2 billion people. The conference aims to accelerate global land restoration and drought resilience efforts through coordinated initiatives.

Q4. What is the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative?

A4. Launched by Saudi Arabia’s UNCCD Presidency, this initiative accelerates international action on drought resilience, fostering a more cohesive and proactive global approach to tackling drought.

Q5. What is the One Water Summit?

A5. The One Water Summit, held on December 3 in Riyadh, addresses global water scarcity. It was announced alongside COP28 and involves leaders from France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank to enhance water governance.

Q6. Who is participating in COP16?

A6. Dignitaries, policymakers, global institutions, businesses, NGOs, indigenous groups, and other stakeholders from around the world are participating in COP16 to find solutions to land degradation and drought.

Q7. What is the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum?

A7. The SGI Forum, held December 2-3 at COP16’s Green Zone, brings together policymakers and experts to discuss progress on energy and environmental tracks, sharing best practices and future projections.

Q8. What is the Second International Forum on Greening Technologies?

A8. This forum, held December 6-8 in the Green Zone, explores greening project innovations and scientific research, sharing lessons learned from global restoration projects.

Q9. What is the Action Agenda under COP16?

A9. The Action Agenda sets ambitious goals to harness non-state actors, including businesses and civil society, to catalyze practical solutions and drive measurable progress toward UNCCD goals.

Q10. How does COP16 relate to Vision 2030?

A10. COP16 aligns with Vision 2030 by advancing environmental sustainability, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative’s tree-planting goals, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in green innovation.

Q11. What is the role of Dr. Osama Faqeeha?

A11. Dr. Osama Faqeeha is Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, leading efforts to mobilize action.

Q12. What is the significance of the Green Zone?

A12. The Green Zone is a dedicated space at COP16 for public engagement, exhibitions, and forums like the SGI Forum, showcasing innovations and fostering dialogue between stakeholders and visitors.

Q13. What is the impact of land degradation?

A13. Land degradation affects nearly 40% of the planet, impacting over 3.2 billion people, reducing agricultural productivity, and contributing to water scarcity and biodiversity loss.

Q14. How is drought frequency changing?

A14. According to the UNCCD, drought frequency and intensity have increased by nearly a third since 2000, making drought resilience a key focus of COP16.

Q15. What does hosting COP16 mean for Saudi Arabia?

A15. Hosting COP16 highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental leadership, its role as a global convenor, and its progress under Vision 2030 toward a sustainable and diversified economy.

Q16. Who is Nigel Topping?

A16. Nigel Topping is the Ambition Loop Founder and former UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP26. He supports the Action Agenda’s focus on non-state actor engagement.

Q17. What is the focus of the One Water Summit?

A17. The One Water Summit focuses on enhancing global water governance, addressing water scarcity challenges, and fostering international cooperation on sustainable water management.

Q18. What are the key outcomes expected from COP16?

A18. Expected outcomes include strengthened drought resilience initiatives, new land restoration commitments, and enhanced cooperation between governments and non-state actors to combat desertification.

Q19. How can non-state actors participate in COP16?

A19. Non-state actors like businesses, farmers, cities, and indigenous groups can champion initiatives under the Action Agenda, contributing to measurable progress on land restoration and drought resilience.

Q20. When did UNCCD COP16 begin?

A20. UNCCD COP16 officially began on December 2, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will run through December 13, 2024, featuring a packed agenda of summits and dialogues.

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