From December 2 to 13, 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be the epicenter of global efforts to combat land degradation and desertification as it hosts the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Marking the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, COP16 adopts the theme \"Our Land. Our Future,\" emphasizing the urgent need to address the escalating threats of desertification, land degradation, and drought. This pivotal conference aims to transform years of dialogue into tangible actions through a dual-track approach: the Negotiation Track for binding decisions and the Action Agenda highlighting voluntary commitments.
As the world grapples with crises like forced migration, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss, COP16’s objectives have never been more critical. According to the World Migration Report 2024, desertification and land degradation currently affect 3.2 billion people globally, with projections indicating that over 216 million could be internally displaced by 2050 due to climate-related factors.
The economic toll is staggering, with land degradation costing approximately $11 trillion. Achieving land-degradation neutrality by 2030 necessitates the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land, a monumental yet essential goal to ensure global food security and ecosystem resilience.
Amid these challenges, there are glimmers of progress. China emerges as a global leader in combating desertification through initiatives like the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), one of the world’s largest afforestation projects aimed at creating an ecological shield over 42 percent of China’s landmass by 2050. Additionally, innovative techniques such as the use of agricultural waste in \"checkerboarding\" have stabilized sand dunes in areas like Wuwei City in the Tengger Desert, transforming vulnerable landscapes into stable ecosystems.
Between 2012 and 2022, China restored 64 million hectares of degraded land and rehabilitated extensive wetlands and grasslands, showcasing a comprehensive approach that marries ecological restoration with economic development. China's collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature has also led to the development of practical guides for coastal hazard mitigation and ecosystem restoration, benefiting regions worldwide.
In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, desertification remains a dire threat. However, regional initiatives like the NENA Regional Restoration Pledge and Investment Framework are forging a path forward. Developed by the UNCCD in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, and the League of Arab States, this framework integrates land restoration with sustainable development goals, highlighting the power of collective action in combating environmental challenges.
Reference(s):
Riyadh Action Agenda at COP16: A new era of global cooperation
cgtn.com
