COP16 wraps up in Riyadh with 39 decisions adopted

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) closed early on Saturday, with 39 decisions adopted, including a procedural decision on drought.

Several postponements marked the final day of the two-week conference. As negotiations stalled over reaching consensus on a new drought framework, parties adopted a procedural decision agreeing to continue discussions based on the progress made at COP16, with the aim of adopting a decision at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026.

Meanwhile, more than $12 billion was pledged to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought around the world, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.

New pledges for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness were announced, such as the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which attracted $12.15 billion to support 80 of the world's most vulnerable countries in building resilience to drought.

Addressing the closing plenary, Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, said, "While parties need more time to agree on the best way forward to address the critical issue of drought, I am filled with hope with the launching of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, a landmark initiative to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time."

Through COP16, "we have elevated the land and drought agenda beyond sector-specific discussions, establishing it as a cornerstone of global efforts to address interconnected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, migration and global security," he noted.

The 39 decisions adopted at this COP "will serve as guidance not only to all governments in the world but also to the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities," he added.

COP16 President Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with all parties in land restoration, saying, "We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the well-being of communities around the world."

Running from December 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," COP16 is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP held in the Middle East and North Africa.

(Cover: Sunset in Riyadh. /CFP)