UNCCD COP16: A Moonshot Moment for Global Land Restoration and Resilience

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is gearing up for a historic moment as it hosts the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. With the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” this event not only coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD but also promises to be the largest and most ambitious UN land conference ever held.

For the first time in its history, COP16 is being hosted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, an area acutely familiar with the devastating impacts of desertification, land degradation, and drought. This milestone marks a pivotal opportunity to bring global attention to the challenges of sustainable land management and the urgency of climate resilience in regions most affected by land degradation.

A Game-Changer for Land and People

COP16 is more than just a conference; it represents a “moonshot moment” to rally global ambition and accelerate tangible action on land restoration and drought resilience through a people-centered approach. The event brings together 197 Parties – 196 countries and the European Union – under the UNCCD umbrella, making critical decisions that will shape the future of land stewardship and sustainability for decades to come.

As the global voice for land, the UNCCD aims to address pressing issues such as restoring degraded land, boosting resilience to intensifying droughts, scaling up sustainable food production, securing equitable land rights, and unlocking economic opportunities, particularly for youth.

Key decisions expected at COP16 include:

• Accelerating land restoration efforts by 2030 and beyond.
• Improving resilience to droughts and sand and dust storms.
• Restoring soil health to support nature-positive agriculture.
• Promoting equity and securing land rights for sustainable stewardship.
• Ensuring land remains a cornerstone for climate and biodiversity solutions.
• Creating decent, land-based jobs to stimulate economic growth.

These initiatives underscore the interconnectedness of land with critical global issues, from climate change and biodiversity to food security and economic development.

A Dual Approach for Bold Outcomes

One of COP16’s standout features is its dual approach, introducing both a Negotiation Track and an Action Agenda. The Negotiation Track will focus on formal agreements and resolutions, while the Action Agenda emphasizes implementation and collaboration to ensure COP decisions lead to meaningful, on-the-ground results.

This innovative structure highlights the UNCCD’s commitment to not only setting ambitious goals but also ensuring they translate into real-world action.

A Call to Action

As the world faces escalating land degradation, desertification, and climate crises, COP16 serves as a beacon of hope and progress. The event underscores that land restoration is not just an environmental imperative but a pathway to ensuring food, water, shelter, and livelihoods for billions of people.

UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw aptly described COP16 as a “rallying call for humanity to rethink our relationship with land.” He emphasized the need for collective, inclusive action that empowers communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, to build a resilient and sustainable future.

Global Momentum for a Shared Future

COP16 arrives at a critical juncture, reminding the global community that land is at the heart of solutions for climate, biodiversity, and human well-being. By uniting governments, scientists, private sector leaders, and civil society, this conference has the potential to catalyze transformative action for both people and the planet.

As the world looks to Riyadh this December, COP16 stands as a testament to what humanity can achieve when ambition, collaboration, and urgency converge for a common purpose: restoring the lifeblood of our planet—our land.