Saudi COP16 Presidency Mobilizes Private Sector for Land

Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) launched Land Day on December 4, 2024, in Riyadh, marking the first of seven Thematic Days at COP16 and placing the urgent need to mobilize private-sector investment in land restoration at the center of global negotiations. The event, announced through the Saudi Press Agency, convened top decision-makers from business, government, and civil society to confront a stark reality: only 6% of financial commitments for land resilience and drought recovery currently come from private sources. Could the world’s largest economies afford to ignore a challenge that threatens $23 trillion in global economic losses by 2050?

Land Day formed part of the Kingdom’s broader agenda as president of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD, which Saudi Arabia is hosting in Riyadh. The day’s program included the Business for Land forum, the Rio Convention Synergies dialogue, and specialized sessions on protecting and restoring rangelands. Together, these events advanced the COP16 presidency’s goal of turning the conference into a launchpad for reinforcing public and private partnerships and rehabilitating 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030. The scale of that ambition reflects both the ecological emergency and the economic opportunity that Saudi Arabia’s leadership has placed at the heart of the global conversation.

Context and Background

How did land degradation become one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century? For decades, desertification, drought, and the loss of productive land have accelerated across every continent, driven by climate change, unsustainable land use, and growing pressure on natural resources. The UNCCD, established in 1994, remains the principal international framework for addressing these interconnected crises. Yet the gap between the resources required and the resources committed has continued to widen, prompting the COP16 presidency to make private-sector engagement a central pillar of its agenda.

A UNCCD report released in conjunction with Land Day revealed that only 6% of financial commitments for land resilience and drought recovery have come from private sources. The same report warned that continued land degradation, desertification, and drought could cost the global economy as much as $23 trillion by 2050. These figures frame the conversation in Riyadh not as an environmental debate alone, but as a question of economic stability, food security, and social resilience for billions of people. For international audiences, the message is clear: the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of restoration.

Saudi Arabia assumed the COP16 presidency with a mandate to elevate land restoration on the global agenda and to translate commitments into bankable projects. The Kingdom’s own experience with desertification, combined with its Vision 2030 modernization program, provides a distinctive platform for bridging the interests of governments, financial institutions, and the private sector. Land Day therefore served as both a diagnostic exercise and a call to action, setting the tone for the Thematic Days that will follow through the remainder of the conference.

Key Details

What did Land Day actually deliver in practical terms? The Business for Land forum brought together senior executives, ministers, and civil society leaders to explore the intersections of business, finance, and policy. Participants examined how private capital can be directed toward land restoration at scale, including through blended finance, philanthropic contributions, corporate social responsibility programs, development finance, subsidies, and private equity. The forum’s premise was that no single source of capital can meet the challenge alone, and that innovative financial structures are essential to unlock new growth opportunities.

Abdulrahman Alfadley, president of the Conference of the Parties to the 16th session of the UNCCD and Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, framed the presidency’s objective directly: “Through our presidency of COP16, we aim to make this conference a launchpad for reinforcing public and private partnerships, paving the way to rehabilitate 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030.” The target aligns with global restoration commitments and signals that Riyadh intends to convert dialogue into measurable outcomes.

Neo Gim Huay, managing director of the World Economic Forum, addressed attendees on the need to unlock new investment avenues. “We must consider the full spectrum of available capital—from philanthropic and corporate social responsibility contributions to development finance, blended approaches, subsidies, and private equity—if we are to explore new growth opportunities,” she said. Her remarks underscored that the restoration economy is not a niche concern but a mainstream investment frontier capable of generating returns alongside environmental benefits.

Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment and advisor to the UNCCD COP16 presidency, delivered one of the day’s most pointed messages. “For the international community to achieve land restoration on the required scale, the private sector must increase its investment,” he said, noting that UNCCD findings indicate a concerning gap in the funds necessary to address land degradation, desertification, and drought. He added: “For far too long, businesses have reaped profits from land; now is the moment to embrace restoration and invest in sustaining the foundations of businesses, industries, and entire economies. At COP16 in Riyadh, we are committed to mobilizing both public and private sectors, incentivizing investment, and ultimately unlocking a potential trillion-dollar restoration economy.”

Rangelands and the Rio Convention Synergies

Why should the fate of rangelands matter to anyone outside the agricultural sector? According to the UNCCD, rangelands encompass about 54% of the world’s land cover, including savannas, shrublands, wetlands, tundra, and deserts. They support livestock and wildlife grazing and sustain the livelihoods of millions of people. Sessions on “Protecting and Restoring Rangelands” aimed to generate investment for their preservation, offering attendees science-based solutions to combat land degradation and drought while highlighting the role of finance in a circular economy.

Dr. Faqeeha described rangelands as “a crucial ecosystem for millions globally, supporting lives and livelihoods.” He warned that with over 50% of rangelands already degraded, the world faces significant risks, including the potential loss of one-sixth of humanity’s food supply and one-third of the planet’s carbon reserve. The ongoing depletion of these lands, he said, is driving food insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss, and forced migration. These are not distant projections; they describe trends already visible across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond.

Land Day also featured the “Rio Convention Synergies” dialogue, which highlighted updates from the 2024 Rio Trio events following discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, the CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, and COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The dialogue drew attention to the interconnected challenges of land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, and sought common solutions. By aligning the three Rio conventions, the COP16 presidency is promoting a more coherent international response that avoids duplication and maximizes the impact of limited resources.

International and Regional Impact

What does Saudi Arabia’s leadership of COP16 mean for the wider region and the world? The Middle East and North Africa are among the regions most exposed to desertification and water scarcity, making the Kingdom’s presidency both symbolically and practically significant. By hosting the conference in Riyadh and championing private-sector mobilization, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a bridge between developed and developing economies, between public finance and private capital, and between environmental ambition and economic pragmatism.

The emphasis on private-sector investment responds to a structural gap in global environmental finance. Public budgets and development assistance alone cannot fund the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares. The Business for Land forum therefore sought to demonstrate that restoration projects can offer attractive risk-adjusted returns when supported by the right policies, guarantees, and market mechanisms. For international investors, the message from Riyadh is that land restoration is an emerging asset class with the potential to deliver both financial and ecological dividends.

The regional dimension extends beyond the conference halls. Saudi Arabia’s own initiatives, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, aim to plant billions of trees and restore degraded land across the Kingdom and the region. These programs provide proof of concept for the partnerships discussed at COP16 and reinforce the Kingdom’s credibility in urging others to act. The ripple effects could be felt in food supply chains, carbon markets, and rural employment across multiple continents.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why is the restoration economy being described in trillion-dollar terms? The UNCCD’s warning of $23 trillion in potential global economic losses by 2050 illustrates the scale of the risk. Land degradation reduces agricultural productivity, increases food prices, disrupts supply chains, and contributes to migration and instability. Conversely, restoring degraded land can boost agricultural output, sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and create jobs. The economic logic of restoration is becoming as compelling as the environmental case.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework places sustainability, economic diversification, and quality of life at the center of national development. The Kingdom’s investments in renewable energy, water efficiency, and land rehabilitation are consistent with its COP16 agenda. By mobilizing private capital, the presidency aims to create a self-reinforcing cycle in which restoration projects generate returns that fund further restoration. This approach reflects a broader shift in global development finance toward blended models that combine public guarantees with private investment.

For businesses, the strategic significance is equally clear. Companies in agriculture, mining, energy, and real estate all depend on healthy land and stable ecosystems. The Business for Land forum made the case that investing in restoration is a matter of long-term self-interest, not charity. The trillion-dollar restoration economy envisioned by Dr. Faqeeha would create new markets for technology, finance, and expertise, with Saudi Arabia well placed to participate as both a host and a partner.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does COP16 connect to Saudi Arabia’s long-term national transformation? Vision 2030, launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeks to diversify the economy, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance the Kingdom’s global role. Hosting COP16 and leading the charge on land restoration are direct expressions of those objectives. The conference provides a platform for Saudi Arabia to demonstrate its commitment to international cooperation and to showcase domestic progress in environmental management.

The Kingdom’s presidency of the UNCCD is also a statement about the future of multilateralism. By convening governments, businesses, and civil society in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is helping to shape a global response to one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The outcomes of COP16, including the mobilization of private-sector investment and the rehabilitation of 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, will be measured in years and decades. Yet the direction set on Land Day is unmistakable: the world’s land is a shared asset, and its restoration is a shared responsibility. Saudi Arabia, through Vision 2030 and its COP16 presidency, is working to ensure that responsibility is met with action, innovation, and investment.

20 Questions

Q1. What was Land Day at COP16 in Riyadh?

A1. Land Day was the first of seven Thematic Days at the UNCCD COP16 conference, launched by Saudi Arabia’s presidency on December 4, 2024, to advance discussions on land degradation, desertification, and drought, with a focus on mobilizing private-sector investment.

Q2. Who is leading COP16?

A2. Saudi Arabia holds the presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD, with Abdulrahman Alfadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, serving as president of the conference.

Q3. Why is private-sector investment important for land restoration?

A3. A UNCCD report found that only 6% of financial commitments for land resilience and drought recovery come from private sources. Increasing private investment is essential to close the funding gap and scale restoration efforts globally.

Q4. What economic risk does land degradation pose?

A4. The UNCCD warns that continued land degradation, desertification, and drought could cost the global economy up to $23 trillion by 2050, highlighting the high cost of inaction for governments and businesses alike.

Q5. What was the Business for Land forum?

A5. The Business for Land forum convened top decision-makers from business, government, and civil society to explore how finance, policy, and business can work together to combat land degradation and promote private-sector involvement.

Q6. What did Abdulrahman Alfadley say about COP16?

A6. Alfadley said the presidency aims to make COP16 a launchpad for reinforcing public and private partnerships, paving the way to rehabilitate 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030.

Q7. What did Neo Gim Huay emphasize?

A7. The World Economic Forum managing director emphasized the need to unlock new investment avenues by considering the full spectrum of capital, including philanthropic, corporate social responsibility, development finance, blended approaches, subsidies, and private equity.

Q8. What did Dr. Osama Faqeeha say about businesses and land?

A8. Dr. Faqeeha said that for too long businesses have reaped profits from land, and now is the moment to embrace restoration and invest in sustaining the foundations of businesses, industries, and entire economies.

Q9. What is the trillion-dollar restoration economy?

A9. It is the potential economic opportunity created by investing in land restoration at scale, which Dr. Faqeeha said COP16 in Riyadh is committed to unlocking by mobilizing both public and private sectors and incentivizing investment.

Q10. What are rangelands and why do they matter?

A10. Rangelands are natural grasslands that support livestock and wildlife grazing. According to the UNCCD, they cover about 54% of the world’s land surface and support the lives and livelihoods of millions of people globally.

Q11. How much of the world’s rangelands are degraded?

A11. Dr. Faqeeha stated that over 50% of rangelands are already degraded, posing risks including the potential loss of one-sixth of humanity’s food supply and one-third of the planet’s carbon reserve.

Q12. What was the Rio Convention Synergies dialogue?

A12. It was a Land Day event highlighting updates from the 2024 Rio Trio events following discussions at the UN General Assembly, CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, and COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, addressing land, biodiversity, and climate challenges.

Q13. How does land degradation affect food security?

A13. Degraded land reduces agricultural productivity and can lead to the loss of vital food supplies. Dr. Faqeeha warned that rangeland depletion is already driving food insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss, and forced migration.

Q14. What role does Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 play in this effort?

A14. Vision 2030 prioritizes environmental sustainability, economic diversification, and global engagement. Hosting COP16 and leading land restoration efforts align with these goals and showcase the Kingdom’s commitment to international cooperation.

Q15. What are the Saudi Green and Middle East Green Initiatives?

A15. These are Saudi-led programs aimed at planting billions of trees and restoring degraded land across the Kingdom and the region, providing practical examples of the large-scale restoration that COP16 seeks to promote globally.

Q16. Why is COP16 being held in Riyadh?

A16. Riyadh hosts COP16 as part of Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the UNCCD, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing desertification and its position as a leader in regional and global environmental diplomacy.

Q17. What are the seven Thematic Days at COP16?

A17. Land Day was the first of seven scheduled Thematic Days designed to spark discussions and advance negotiations on critical issues surrounding land degradation, desertification, and drought throughout the conference.

Q18. How can blended finance help land restoration?

A18. Blended finance combines public funds, development finance, and private capital to reduce risk and attract investment. It is one of the mechanisms discussed at COP16 to fund large-scale land restoration projects.

Q19. What does the 1.5 billion hectares target represent?

A19. The target, cited by Minister Alfadley, refers to the amount of degraded land the COP16 presidency aims to rehabilitate by 2030 through reinforced public and private partnerships, supporting global restoration commitments.

Q20. What is the main message of Land Day?

A20. The main message is that land restoration requires significantly increased private-sector investment alongside public efforts, and that COP16 in Riyadh is committed to mobilizing both sectors to unlock a trillion-dollar restoration economy.

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