The Saudi presidency of the upcoming COP16 conference in Riyadh urges the international community to elevate their ambitions and take decisive action to combat the threats posed by drought and to reclaim and restore land fertility.
This appeal comes less than a month before the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) on December 2. Recent data released by the United Nations reveals that the world is facing a significant crisis, with projections indicating a potential loss of agricultural land equivalent to the size of some countries.
Trillion-Dollar Opportunities
The conference presidency emphasized that the events organized by the Kingdom during COP16 will provide a platform for experts, government representatives, and stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors to develop scientific and practical solutions aimed at reducing land degradation. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to harness economic potential estimated at around $1 trillion for land reclamation efforts globally.
Dr. Osama Faqiha, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs in Saudi Arabia and an advisor to the COP16 presidency, stated, "This conference represents a decisive moment for the international community, as it seeks to address land degradation by working collectively to achieve the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) goal of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030."
Raising the Bar of Ambition
Faqiha added, "As the host country for this conference, we invite all parties to join us in Riyadh and elevate their ambitions by supporting initiatives for land restoration, drought resistance, and the enhancement of land ownership rights."
Since 2015, countries have adopted voluntary targets for land degradation neutrality (LDN), committing not to increase the area of degraded land globally, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Currently, more than 130 countries are participating in this program, with over 100 countries having already established their targets.
The Saudi presidency of COP16 strives to increase the number of countries that endorse these voluntary LDN targets, encouraging them to heighten their ambitions and work toward implementation.
Natural Capital
The UNCCD estimates that $44 trillion in economic output—over half of the annual global GDP—is moderately or largely dependent on natural capital. Each dollar invested in land reclamation and restoration efforts can yield up to $30 in economic returns, paving the way for the development of a reclamation-based economy.
The presidency of the conference has ensured that all logistical support is available to address these challenges. Notably, COP16 in Riyadh will be the first iteration of the Conference of the Parties to establish a green zone. This innovative concept will serve as a collaborative platform for companies, scientists, financial institutions, NGOs, the public, and affected communities to find lasting solutions.
During the conference, seven days of special sessions will be dedicated to enriching discussions and supporting outcomes focused on specific topics, including governance, agri-food systems, capacity building, financing, and a dedicated day for science, technology, and innovation.
