Saudi Arabia Unveils Groundbreaking Drought Resilience Initiative At UNCCD COP16

As part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to combat the impact of drought globally, the country and its partners have launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership during the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The initiative will work in partnership with UNCCD, countries, international organizations, and other stakeholders to deliver a transformative shift in how drought is tackled worldwide.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, a permanent office will operate the partnership under the oversight of contributing members to connect vulnerable countries and communities with existing resources while synergizing with ongoing initiatives to maximize impact. The Riyadh Partnership will also prioritize unlocking new funding mechanisms for drought resilience and increasing access to credit, equity financing, insurance products, and grants. To ensure sustained operational support and long-term impact, Saudi Arabia will cover the expenses of the Partnership office for at least 10 years. Drought impacts almost every corner of the planet, with 1.84 billion people affected in 2022. According to UNCCD, over 55 nations have declared drought emergencies between 2020 and 2023.

“The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness. We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world,” said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, the Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency.