UNCCD Executive Secretary Highlights Saudi Arabia's Commitment To Combat Desertification And Drought Resilience

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw, has drawn attention to a pressing global issue. The world is grappling with more frequent and unpredictable droughts, posing significant challenges to agriculture and food systems in affected regions. Thiaw stressed that restoring land is a powerful strategy to address these global problems.

During the opening plenary session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, Thiaw commended Saudi Arabia for its dedication to combating drought and promoting land restoration. This commitment is evident through initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI). The conference aims to enhance capacities for tackling global drought challenges.

On the first day of COP16, three major international initiatives were unveiled. Among them is the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative, which seeks to mobilize international efforts to improve drought preparedness. This initiative shifts focus from crisis management and post-crisis relief to proactive prevention and preparedness before disasters strike.

Additionally, two other initiatives were launched: the International Drought Observatory and the Global Drought Atlas. These are designed to boost monitoring and tracking efforts, implement preventive measures, and raise awareness among stakeholders about global drought issues.

Ahead of the multi-stakeholder talks in Riyadh, a new UNCCD report was released highlighting an escalating global emergency due to land degradation. It points out that unsustainable agricultural practices cause 80% of deforestation and consume 70% of freshwater resources. Furthermore, agriculture, forestry, and land use contribute 23% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The report also reveals that 46% of the world's land area is classified as arid. These findings underscore the urgent need for effective strategies to combat land degradation and its consequences on ecosystems worldwide.

COP16's Significance

COP16 in Riyadh, running from December 2 to 13, is notable for being the largest session of its kind so far. It introduces a green zone concept by Saudi Arabia aimed at encouraging multilateral action and securing necessary funding for rehabilitating degraded lands.

This innovative approach reflects a growing recognition of the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges on a global scale.

The conference's focus on enhancing capacities for addressing drought challenges highlights a shift towards proactive measures. By prioritising early prevention and preparedness, stakeholders aim to mitigate the impacts of future droughts effectively.

With inputs from SPA