The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) opened on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” the conference will run from December 2 to 13, aiming to scale up and speed up land restoration and usher in a new era of global cooperation on drought resilience.
Nearly 200 parties, along with experts and civil society groups, have convened to call for urgent actions to combat desertification. The event seeks to accelerate efforts to restore degraded lands, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of communities affected by desertification.
Delegates will engage in high-level discussions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions to address the pressing challenges posed by land degradation. The conference aims to mobilize resources, share best practices, and strengthen partnerships among nations to achieve sustainable land management.
The urgent need to combat desertification is underscored by its impact on food security, economic stability, and climate change. As desertification continues to threaten the livelihoods of millions, COP16 serves as a critical platform for nations to commit to concrete actions that will secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com