BRICS Leaders Urge Enhanced Action On Land Degradation Before UNCCD COP16 In Riyadh

BRICS leaders have collectively urged for more financial resources and stronger alliances to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. This call comes ahead of a significant UN environment conference in Saudi Arabia this December. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE highlighted the severe threats these environmental issues pose to both people and ecosystems.

The upcoming 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) will take place in Riyadh from December 2 to 13. This event is set against a backdrop of increasing global concern over land degradation affecting 40% of the Earth's surface and impacting 3.2 billion individuals. The BRICS statement underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges through integrated policies.

While acknowledging current efforts in sustainable land management, BRICS leaders stressed the necessity for cohesive strategies to address these interconnected problems. Dr. Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for environment at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, remarked on the importance of this issue: "Saudi Arabia welcomes the BRICS leaders' statement on the critical issue of land degradation as it reflects the increasing urgency to slow and ultimately reverse the trend of degrading land worldwide."

Dr. Faqeeha further stated that COP16 in Riyadh aims to establish new partnerships to enhance land restoration and drought resilience efforts, especially in vulnerable areas. He emphasized that land degradation, drought, and desertification are global issues exacerbating forced migration and worsening food and water insecurity worldwide.

The conference is anticipated to be the largest UNCCD COP ever held. It will introduce a Green Zone for collaboration and innovation, aiming to boost private sector involvement in land restoration initiatives. The UNCCD has set an ambitious target to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.

The economic benefits of investing in land restoration are significant. According to UNCCD data, each dollar spent on restoring land can generate up to $30 in economic returns. This highlights not only environmental but also economic incentives for addressing these pressing issues.

The international community must tackle these root causes at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The conference represents a pivotal moment for forging partnerships that can drive meaningful change in combating land degradation globally.

With inputs from SPA