Saudi Arabia Establishes UNCCD Green Zone And Thematic Days To Combat Land Degradation

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to host COP16 Riyadh from December 2 to 13, marking a significant milestone with the introduction of a Green Zone and seven thematic days. This initiative is unprecedented in the history of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Saudi Arabia's leadership under its incoming COP16 Presidency aims to drive global efforts against land degradation, drought, and desertification.

The Green Zone will serve as a platform to enhance global awareness about land degradation. It aims to connect decision-makers from scientific, NGO, political, business, and at-risk communities. The objective is to develop and fund sustainable solutions. The thematic days in both Green and Blue Zones will tackle critical issues such as agri-food systems and finance.

Among the thematic days, Land Day will highlight initiatives for land restoration and nature-based solutions. The Business for Land Forum will gather global leaders to discuss the economic importance of sustainable land practices. Finance Day will address the financial challenges in combating land degradation.

A special ministerial dialogue will focus on innovation in Sustainable Land Management financing. This addresses a challenge highlighted by the UN Environment Program: $7 trillion is invested annually in activities harmful to nature, equating to 7% of global GDP.

Governance Day will concentrate on enhancing women's land rights and tackling policy issues related to land tenure and resource governance. Agri-Food Systems Day will delve into food security, crop resilience, and sustainable farming practices.

Resilience Day will focus on water scarcity, drought resilience, and early warning systems for sand and dust storms. People's Day will include a youth caucus addressing young people's crucial role, a gender caucus, and discussions on increasing participation of at-risk groups.

Innovation in Science and Technology

Science, Technology, and Innovation Day will underscore science's role in land restoration and preventing further degradation. This day aims to foster long-term solutions while ensuring synergies with climate and biodiversity fields. It also seeks to address research and funding gaps.

"Land degradation, desertification, and drought affect almost every corner of the planet," said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. "Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever UNCCD COP16 Green Zone to mobilize the international community."

Dr. Faqeeha encourages people to register for this event: "Whether you wish to attend as a visitor engaging in critical conversations about land restoration or as an exhibitor showcasing innovation." The conference offers an opportunity for meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders.

The UNCCD notes that one billion people under 25 live in regions heavily reliant on land resources for livelihoods. This highlights the importance of addressing these issues during COP16 Riyadh through collaborative efforts across various sectors.

With inputs from SPA