Riyadh Action Agenda Advances Land Governance Initiatives At UNCCD COP16

Governance Day at COP16 in Riyadh focused on governance's role in addressing land degradation, drought, and desertification. Discussions highlighted key initiatives like the Riyadh Action Agenda, which aims to boost financing for land restoration and drought resilience. This agenda seeks to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, involving both state and non-state actors.

The Mayors Forum played a significant role during Governance Day, bringing together mayors, policymakers, and experts. The forum aimed to enhance the involvement of local and regional governments in tackling land degradation issues. Participants emphasized the need for increased cooperation and inclusive financial strategies to address these challenges effectively.

An event focusing on urban-rural linkages examined governance frameworks and financial tools to strengthen connections between rural producers and urban consumers. Deputy Minister for Environment Dr. Osama Faqeeha stressed the importance of localizing decision-making to combat land degradation and enhance synergies between urban populations and rural areas.

Urbanization is putting pressure on resources like water and food, accelerating land degradation. With 68% of the global population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, regional authorities must manage resources effectively for growing populations, especially in developing countries.

Walid Al-Akrish from Riyadh Municipality highlighted challenges such as population growth, rapid urbanization, and unsustainable agricultural practices leading to land degradation. He noted that these factors contribute significantly to biodiversity loss.

Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya, Turkiye, emphasized: "Meaningful action requires meaningful resources." He called for local leaders to unite against land degradation through investments in drought-resilient infrastructure and ecosystem restoration.

Riyadh Action Agenda Launch

The Riyadh Action Agenda was officially launched on Thursday. It encourages countries, private sectors, financial institutions, and international organizations to join existing initiatives or create new ones. This initiative aims to strengthen efforts against land degradation globally.

COP16 has already secured over $12 billion in funding pledges from international organizations. This underscores the crucial role of financial institutions and the private sector in combating environmental challenges like desertification and drought.

The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership was also introduced at COP16. This partnership aims to bring together various stakeholders to deliver tangible change worldwide during COP16's remainder and beyond.

With inputs from SPA