Saudi Arabia Highlights Global Drought Challenges And Welcomes Scientific Community At COP16 Conference

Saudi Arabia has highlighted the global challenge of drought, underscoring the need for action across all societal levels. Scientific evidence supports this urgency, and the Kingdom stresses the importance of implementing effective measures. Developing technologies for adaptation and resilience, along with building human and technical capacities, are crucial to preserving arable land and rehabilitating degraded areas.

The "Enhancing Resilience to Drought" conference in Geneva served as a platform for these discussions. Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, CEO of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) and head of the Saudi delegation, delivered the Kingdom's address. He also serves as an advisor to the Presidency of COP16 in Riyadh. The conference gathered global leaders and experts to explore policy frameworks aimed at bolstering resilience against drought's worldwide effects.

Dr. Ghulam pointed out that climate-change studies reveal rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns increase drought risks. These changes could lead to more severe droughts in affected areas and potentially introduce drought conditions in new regions. Such environmental shifts threaten biodiversity by degrading land, making it inhospitable for wildlife.

He further explained that reduced rainfall in agricultural zones poses a significant threat to food security both locally and globally. This scarcity can disrupt ecosystems, affecting various environmental and human activities. The potential impact on food production highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat these challenges.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Ghulam extended an invitation to the international scientific community for the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Scheduled from December 3 to 13, 2024, in Riyadh, this event is expected to be the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together representatives from all 197 parties involved in the convention.

The conference aims to foster collaboration among nations to address desertification issues effectively. By sharing knowledge and strategies, participants hope to develop solutions that will mitigate drought impacts globally.

With inputs from SPA