The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing global attention to the critical issue of land degradation.
With 40% of the Earth’s land already degraded, affecting half of humanity, COP16 marks a pivotal moment for global environmental action.
This year’s summit, coinciding with the UNCCD’s 30th anniversary, comes as drought grips regions from Latin America to Southern Africa, threatening agriculture, water security, and livelihoods.
Leaders, scientists, and advocates have gathered in Riyadh to explore innovative solutions, foster partnerships, and commit to actionable strategies.
A Triple Crisis: Land Degradation, Climate Change, and Biodiversity Loss
Land degradation sits at the heart of three interconnected global crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Unsustainable agricultural practices, poor land management, and climate change are key drivers of this problem.
According to the UNCCD, if not addressed, land degradation could reduce global food productivity by 12% and drive food prices up by 30% by 2040, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
“COP16 is a pivotal conference. By focusing on restoring soil health and scaling up nature-positive food production, we can map a pathway toward a sustainable future,” said Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Key Issues at COP16
Drought Resilience
Droughts, intensified by climate change, are now the most severe hazard affecting agriculture and water security, impacting 55 million people annually.
COP16 will launch the International Drought Resilience Observatory, an AI-powered platform to help governments analyze and respond to drought risks. Saudi Arabia will also unveil the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to enhance multilateral efforts in combating drought.
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
A core agenda of COP16 is achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.
This initiative encourages countries to halt and reverse land degradation through reforestation, soil restoration, and sustainable land management. With 131 nations committed to LDN, the Changwon Initiative will play a key role in accelerating progress by supporting voluntary national targets.
Transforming Food Systems
Agriculture significantly contributes to land degradation, having cleared 70% of grasslands and 50% of savannahs globally.
COP16 will promote sustainable farming practices, including agroecology and regenerative agriculture, to curb biodiversity loss, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance food security.
Mitigating Sand and Dust Storms
Sand and dust storms emit 2 billion tons of dust into the atmosphere annually, harming crops, human health, and economies.
Discussions will focus on early warning systems and sustainable land management to reduce the frequency and impact of these storms.
Gender Inequality in Land Management
Women play a crucial role in global food systems but own less than 20% of the world’s land.
COP16 will emphasize gender equity by promoting equal land tenure rights and encouraging women’s leadership in sustainable land management.
UNEP’s Role in Transformation
For five decades, UNEP has championed environmental policies that balance human prosperity with ecological sustainability.
Through partnerships with governments, the private sector, and civil society, UNEP drives solutions to the triple planetary crisis.
Initiatives such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aim to revive billions of hectares of degraded land by 2030.
UNEP supports COP16 by integrating science into decision-making, ensuring environmental rule of law, and leveraging partnerships to finance and implement restoration programs.
With funding from the Environment Fund and partners like the Green Climate Fund, UNEP provides the financial and technical backbone for global land restoration efforts.
Uganda’s Perspective
For Uganda, grappling with significant environmental challenges, COP16’s commitments hold immense potential.
Land degradation, driven by deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, and urbanization, has left vast areas vulnerable to drought and soil erosion.
Initiatives like Land Degradation Neutrality and the International Drought Resilience Observatory can offer crucial support in reversing these trends and building resilience.
The summit’s focus on transforming food systems is particularly relevant for Uganda, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy.
Promoting sustainable practices like agroecology can boost food security while protecting the environment.
Efforts to mitigate sand and dust storms and restore ecosystems align with Uganda’s commitments to combat desertification and conserve biodiversity.
Uganda’s participation in COP16 underscores the importance of inclusive policies, especially empowering women in land management.
Strengthening women’s land tenure rights and encouraging their leadership can significantly enhance community-led conservation efforts.
A Call to Action
COP16 offers a unique opportunity to adopt landmark decisions on drought resilience—a potential “Paris Agreement moment” for land management.
It is a chance to forge solutions that protect ecosystems, safeguard food security, and promote social equity.
“The science is clear: human health, prosperity, and peace are all under threat. We must urgently transform our economies and our relationship with nature,” warns a UNEP statement.
For Uganda and other nations, embracing COP16’s outcomes can secure a sustainable future for people and the ecosystems that underpin prosperity.
