The 16th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP16) is poised to be a watershed moment in the global fight against land degradation and drought. Scheduled for December 2-13, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this landmark event marks the first time a UNCCD COP will be hosted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
As the largest gathering in the convention’s history, COP16 aims to catalyze transformative action on two critical fronts: restoring degraded lands and bolstering resilience to increasingly severe droughts. This ambitious agenda builds upon the momentum generated by recent climate and biodiversity conferences, underscoring the interconnected nature of these global environmental challenges.
However, the path forward is not without obstacles. COP16 must navigate the complex terrain of international negotiations, seeking to overcome recent deadlocks and forge consensus on these pressing issues. With the world’s attention focused on Riyadh, COP16 presents a unique opportunity to elevate the urgency of addressing land degradation and drought on the global stage.
UNCCD COP is a pivotal platform in the fight against land degradation
The UNCCD COP stands as a crucial international platform where nations unite to tackle the pressing issues of desertification, land degradation, and drought. Established as one of the three Rio Conventions during the landmark 1992 Earth Summit, the UNCCD operates alongside its sister conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
This biennial gathering serves as the convention’s supreme decision-making body, bringing together representatives from all 197 ratifying countries. The COP’s inclusive approach ensures a diverse range of voices are heard, encompassing government officials, UN bodies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, and pursues several objectives:
- Developing comprehensive strategies to combat desertification at the country level
- Fostering partnerships and collaboration for sustainable land use practices
- Implementing strategies to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030
- Enhancing global capacity to withstand and recover from drought conditions
UNCCD COP meetings typically include two agendas
Presidential Action Agenda
This track encompasses initiatives spearheaded by the COP Presidency. It focuses on delivering tangible, on-the-ground impact in critical areas such as land management, governance, and community engagement.
UNCCD Negotiations Track
This formal process enables parties to review progress on existing commitments, discuss proposals to advance the convention’s goals, and align on decisions through structured negotiations.
Why COP16 is a crucial turning point in the fight against land degradation
With up to 40% of the world’s land degraded — impacting 3.2 billion people — and droughts rising by 29% since 2000, COP16 takes place at a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat land degradation and drought. To tackle these pressing issues, the conference will focus on several critical areas that are expected to dominate the negotiations:
Strengthening drought resilience globally
COP16 is expected to make significant strides in global drought management. Negotiators will consider various policy options that could fundamentally reshape the convention’s approach to drought. This focus is particularly timely, as droughts have increased by 29% since 2000, and by 2050, an estimated three-quarters of the global population could be affected by water scarcity.
Boosting funds for sustainable land management
After a decade of stagnant funding, discussions will center on increasing the UNCCD’s core budget to meet urgent needs. This financial boost will be key to implement the convention’s ambitious goals and respond to the growing challenges of land degradation and drought.
Recognizing the global impact of land degradation
A key topic of negotiation will be the acknowledgment that land degradation and drought affect all countries party to the convention. This recognition is expected to strengthen the UNCCD’s role and improve the collection of national data on these complex issues.
Addressing emerging environmental issues in land use
COP16 will consider expanding the convention’s mandate to include new areas of focus: grasslands and rangelands, as well as sustainable agri-food systems.
Exploring climate and biodiversity synergies
The conference will explore ways to ensure that land continues to play a vital role in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. This aligns with the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between land degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Accelerating action for large-scale land restoration
COP16 aims to move from pledges to concrete action, with a focus on restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded lands by 2030. This ambitious target underscores the urgency of the situation.
The Presidential Action Agenda pushes for urgent action on critical land issues
The Saudi Presidency has set forth a bold vision for COP16, introducing innovative features and initiatives across both the Negotiation Track and the Action Agenda. This comprehensive approach aims to elevate the conference’s impact and drive tangible progress in addressing global land challenges.
High-level segment focusing on global land challenges
The conference will open with a gathering of senior leaders, focusing on desertification, land degradation, and drought at both global and regional scales.
Green zone highlighting sustainable innovations
Designed as an interactive space to foster dialogue among policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society, this Green Zone will showcase both innovative and ancestral solutions for land restoration and drought resilience, drawing on the expertise and insights of diverse stakeholders.
Thematic days promoting inclusive stakeholder engagement
Dedicated sessions such as Land Day, Agri-Food Systems Day, and Governance Day will facilitate in-depth and inclusive discussions among diverse stakeholders.
Ministerial dialogues fostering actionable solutions
These discussions on critical topics like drought resilience, finance, and migration are expected to produce actionable strategies and commitments.
Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership
A key initiative aimed at enhancing global preparedness and response to drought events will be launched during the conference.
Collaborative opportunities drive innovation
COP16 will foster partnerships between businesses, governments, and NGOs to develop innovative solutions for land restoration and drought resilience, exploring financial instruments like carbon credits and ecosystem services markets.
Lessons from previous UNCCD COPs for stronger global land action
The lead-up to COP16 has seen significant progress in tackling land degradation, drought, and achieving land degradation neutrality. Recent COPs have shifted towards concrete actions, increased financial commitments, and stronger integration of land, climate, and biodiversity efforts.
COP13 laid the foundation for long-term land restoration efforts
Held in 2017 in Ordos, China, COP13 was a pivotal moment for the UNCCD. It adopted the 2018-2030 Strategic Framework to guide the convention’s actions for over a decade. Key outcomes included:
- Endorsement of a scientific framework for LDN
- Launch of the LDN Fund with an initial capitalization of US$300 million
- Adoption of 37 decisions addressing issues such as drought, sandstorms, and migration
- Issuance of the Ordos Declaration, calling for intensified action against desertification
- National LDN targets announced by Brazil, India, and Liberia, increasing the total to 113 participating countries
COP14 strengthened global commitments to combat land degradation
Held in 2019 in New Delhi, India, COP14 built on previous achievements and emphasized strengthening global commitments. Key outcomes included:
- Adoption of the Delhi Declaration, focusing on gender equality, ecosystem restoration, and private sector engagement
- Participation of 70 countries in the UNCCD’s Drought Initiative
- Increased focus on synergies among the three Rio Conventions on land, biodiversity, and climate.
COP15 accelerated action on land resilience and restoration
Held in 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, COP15 prioritized strengthening civil society participation and enhancing communication for UNCCD implementation. Key outcomes included:
- Launch of the Abidjan Legacy Program, a US$2.5 billion initiative to address deforestation and climate change
- Issuance of the Abidjan Declaration, focusing on achieving gender equality in successful land restoration
- Introduction of the Land, Life, and Legacy Declaration, including a five-year, US$1.5 billion program to fight deforestation
- Launch of the Business for Land Initiative, showcasing private sector commitments towards LDN
A bold vision for global land resilience
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw has described COP16 as a potential turning point for global land resilience. The conference aims to set ambitious targets, including the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded lands by 2030.
As part of a broader environmental agenda in 2024, which includes meetings of all three Rio Conventions, COP16 represents a unique opportunity to align efforts on climate, biodiversity, and land degradation. Following the UNFCCC COP29 in Azerbaijan and the CBD COP16 in Colombia earlier in the year, the UNCCD COP16 is strategically positioned to address the land-climate-biodiversity nexus.
This synergy offers an unprecedented chance to develop integrated solutions that tackle multiple environmental challenges simultaneously. However, the success of COP16 may hinge on the ability of parties to overcome potential blockades, particularly regarding financing for the most vulnerable countries.
COP16 could shape the future of global land resilience
As the global community turns its attention to Riyadh this December, the outcomes of COP16 will have far-reaching implications for sustainability efforts worldwide. With its focus on concrete implementation and innovative solutions, the conference has the potential to usher in a new era of cooperation on land resilience.
The success of COP16 will be measured not just in agreements reached but in the tangible actions that follow. As Executive Secretary Thiaw emphasized, “The most vulnerable communities expect concrete results from this COP.” The world will be watching the ability of policymakers to deliver on this promise and pave the way for a sustainable future for our lands.
The conference’s ambitious agenda, coupled with the urgency of the global land crisis, positions COP16 as a critical moment in the fight against desertification, land degradation, and drought. Its success could mark a significant step forward in our collective efforts to protect and restore the planet’s vital land resources.