Mongolia will host the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification from August 17 to 28, with Saudi Arabia participating starting next Monday.
According to SPA, the Kingdom will transfer the conference presidency to Mongolia following a term that saw the launch of international partnerships and initiatives from the Riyadh conference (COP16).
Saudi Arabia will showcase international initiatives led during its presidency, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resistance Partnership (RGDRP), the International Sand and Dust Storms Early Warning Initiative, and the Business4Land initiative. The Riyadh Action Agenda is also highlighted, having grown from 35 to over 100 initiatives.
The Kingdom previously hosted COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024, which was the largest in the convention’s history with 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union. That session resulted in the adoption of 39 resolutions and the mobilization of over $12 billion to support land restoration and drought resistance.
Participation in the current conference includes a national pavilion in the Blue Zone featuring over 40 side events and a dedicated pavilion for the Middle East Green Initiative. Saudi Arabia will chair the final meeting of the COP Bureau before the handover to Mongolia.
When and where is the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties taking place? The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is being hosted by the Republic of Mongolia. The event is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 28, with Saudi Arabia joining the proceedings next Monday.
What initiatives will Saudi Arabia showcase during the conference? Saudi Arabia will present several international efforts, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resistance Partnership (RGDRP) and the International Sand and Dust Storms Early Warning Initiative. It will also highlight the Business4Land initiative and the Riyadh Action Agenda, which expanded from 35 to more than 100 initiatives.
What were the outcomes of the COP16 session hosted in Riyadh? Hosted in December 2024, COP16 was the largest in the convention’s history with 197 parties, consisting of 196 countries and the European Union. The session led to the adoption of 39 resolutions and mobilized more than $12 billion for drought resistance and land restoration.
How is Saudi Arabia represented at the current conference in Mongolia? The Kingdom is participating via a national pavilion in the Blue Zone that hosts more than 40 side events. Additionally, there is a dedicated pavilion for the Middle East Green Initiative, and Saudi Arabia is chairing the final COP Bureau meeting before transferring the presidency.