From December 2 to 13, 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will take center stage as it hosts the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, COP16 is set under the inspiring theme \"Our Land. Our Future.\" 🌱
As the world grapples with escalating threats from desertification, land degradation, and drought, COP16 aims to transform years of discussions into actionable solutions. The conference introduces a novel dual-track approach: the Negotiation Track for binding decisions and the Action Agenda to spotlight voluntary commitments. This strategy is crucial as global crises like forced migration, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss reach unprecedented levels.
The Scale of the Crisis ⚠️
Desertification and land degradation currently affect 3.2 billion people worldwide, according to the World Migration Report 2024. By 2050, over 216 million people could be internally displaced due to climate-related factors, including the loss of arable land. Droughts have surged by 29% since 2000, becoming a leading cause of forced migration, especially in regions already struggling with fragile farming systems.
The economic toll is staggering, with land degradation resulting in losses amounting to $11 trillion. Achieving land-degradation neutrality by 2030 necessitates the restoration of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land—a monumental but essential goal to ensure global food security and ecosystem resilience.
Progress Amidst Challenges 🌟
China is leading the charge against desertification with large-scale initiatives that blend environmental restoration with sustainable development. The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), launched in 1978, is one of the world's largest afforestation projects, aiming to create an ecological shield covering 42% of China's landmass by 2050. Additionally, innovative techniques like \"checkerboarding\" using agricultural waste 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, rehabilitated 800,000 hectares of wetlands, and improved 165 million mu of grasslands. These efforts highlight a comprehensive approach that combines ecological restoration with economic growth.
China's influence extends globally through collaborations with the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Together, they've developed handbooks on coastal hazard mitigation and ecosystem restoration, offering practical guidance for restoring ecosystems worldwide, from salt marshes to sandy coasts.
In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, desertification poses an existential threat, but regional collaboration is paving the way for progress. The NENA Regional Restoration Pledge and Investment Framework, developed by the UNCCD in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, and the League of Arab States, aims to tackle land degradation while creating sustainable jobs and unlocking economic opportunities. By integrating land restoration with sustainable development goals, this framework underscores the power of collective action and regional partnerships.
As COP16 approaches, the world watches with hope that this gathering in Riyadh will catalyze the necessary actions to combat desertification and secure a sustainable future for all. Let’s come together to protect our land and, ultimately, our future! 🌿🤝
