Saudi Arabia to Host Largest-Ever UN Conference on Land and Drought

Riyadh, 31 January 2024 - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have joined hands to host the 16th session of the Convention's Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024. The Riyadh COP16 will mark a historic moment as the largest-ever meeting of UNCCD's 197 Parties, the first in the Middle East, and the most significant multilateral conference ever held by Saudi Arabia.

2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, one of the renowned environmental treaties known as the Rio Conventions, which also encompass climate change and biodiversity efforts.

At the signing ceremony in Riyadh, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Alfadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and COP16 President expressed, "The hosting of the conference (COP 16) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the commitment of the wise leadership to environmental protection at the national, regional, and international levels. Additionally, Saudi Arabia launched several groundbreaking environmental projects, such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative."

The urgency of the UNCCD's mission was emphasized by Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, who stated, "Today, we are losing fertile lands at an alarming rate, jeopardizing global stability, prosperity, and sustainability. The Riyadh COP16 must mark a turning point in the way we treat our most precious resource—land—and collectively tackle the global drought emergency."

According to UNCCD data, approximately 40% of the world's land is degraded, impacting half of humanity and causing severe consequences for climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods. To attain a land-degradation-neutral world, it is estimated that restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 will be vital.

Droughts, driven by climate change and land mismanagement, have become more frequent and intense worldwide, increasing by 29% since 2000. Already, one-quarter of the global population is affected by droughts, and projections suggest that three out of four people worldwide will face water scarcity by 2050.

The Riyadh COP16 will be dedicated to mobilizing governments, businesses, and communities globally to expedite actions on land restoration and drought resilience, recognizing their critical role in ensuring food, water, and energy security.

During the two-week event, a high-level segment will take place, accompanied by associated events like the Gender Caucus and the Business for Land Forum.

As the conference unfolds in the Middle East, the most water-scarce region severely impacted by desertification and land degradation, the Riyadh COP16 will spotlight ongoing efforts in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond towards a green transition founded on sustainable land stewardship.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) serves as a global catalyst to restore and manage the world's land sustainably. It unites governments, scientists, policymakers, the private sector, and communities to safeguard humanity and the planet's sustainability. More than an international treaty, the UNCCD represents a multilateral commitment to combat land degradation and promote equitable land stewardship, ensuring food, water, shelter, and economic opportunities for all

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