UAE Pavilion At COP16 Showcases Innovations In Sustainable Water Management And Desertification Solutions

The UAE Pavilion has been inaugurated at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This two-week event, themed "Our Land, Our Future," will showcase innovative solutions and collaborations aimed at combating desertification and emphasising sustainable water management for ecosystem regeneration.

The UAE Pavilion is hosting discussions on sustainable water management as a key strategy against desertification. At an event organised by the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI), Dr. Lauren Greenlee from XPRIZE highlighted how the MBZWI Water Scarcity XPRIZE aims to drive innovation for clean water access while enhancing environmental protection and efficiency.

Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), opened the pavilion, marking the UAE’s 53rd Eid Al Etihad. She participated in sessions focused on improving global and national policy tools for drought management and emphasised the importance of financing land restoration efforts. Dr. Al Dahak stressed international collaboration to align financial support with environmental goals to protect and restore land.

Expert-level discussions began at the UAE Pavilion on December 4th, 2024, focusing on accelerating innovation for ecosystem regeneration. Georges Ibrahim from Dendra Systems discussed using drone technology and AI for mangrove restoration in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Saeed Hassan Al Khazraji of Manhat shared their approach of capturing evaporated water directly from sources to produce distilled water without electricity.

Ole Kristian Sivertsen from Desert Control described how the UAE's innovation ecosystem fosters collaboration among like-minded individuals using diverse technologies. This community-building approach is crucial for successful technological integration in combating desertification.

Upcoming Dialogues and Initiatives

Future dialogues at the UAE Pavilion will explore food systems innovation, regenerative agriculture, biosaline agriculture in arid climates, data's role in sustainable strategies, youth engagement, water resiliency enhancement, and biodiversity across the UAE. Participants include MOCCAE, Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Arab Youth Center, FAO, and other innovators.

Dr. Mohamed Dawoud from EAD explained that Abu Dhabi has implemented various policies focusing on preserving water resources with over 4,000 greenhouses promoting agricultural innovation. Ayesha Al Ateeqi from MBZWI highlighted how water issues impact migration, conflicts, and economic growth, urging coordinated global responses to enhance water resiliency.

The UAE Pavilion will also provide updates on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in December 2026. Located in the Blue Zone at COP16, it remains open daily throughout the conference with a full schedule available online.

The ongoing efforts at COP16 underscore the UAE's commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through innovative solutions and international cooperation. These initiatives aim to ensure sustainable development while tackling pressing issues like desertification and water scarcity effectively.

With inputs from WAM