RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 3 December 2024 - At the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), 197 Parties came together to tackle one of the world's deadliest and costliest disasters. The meeting opened on Monday 2 December with major political and financial commitments to strengthen global resilience to drought.

Exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable land farming practices, droughts have surged in frequency and intensity by nearly 30% since 2000, threatening agriculture, water security and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people, with the poorest countries bearing the brunt.

"We have come together to make COP16 a historic moment," said Ibrahim Thiaoou, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in his opening remarks. "The world looks to the Parties to adopt a bold decision to help turn the tide against drought, the most widespread and devastating environmental disaster."

In a video message to delegates at COP16 in Riyadh, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted the growing challenges posed by land degradation and drought: "Never before have so many people been affected by land degradation and drought. Already 40 per cent of fertile land is degraded, with dire consequences: rising inequalities, people going hungry and displaced. Livelihoods and businesses are threatened, the environment is damaged, and the foundations of peace, stability and security are shaken. On current trends, three out of every four people in the world will be affected by drought by 2050." But in Riyadh, we will turn the tide."

Newly elected COP16 President Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, echoed these concerns, noting that degraded land already affects 3 billion people worldwide and will "increase migration, instability and insecurity in many communities."

COP16 will focus on establishing the first global drought resilience mechanism to address systemic drought risks highlighted in multiple UNCCD provisions and in decisions of the past seven COPs.

Governments are expected to negotiate commitments to strengthen resilience at all levels, based on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought established at COP15.

Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership receives $2.15 billion in commitments.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, host of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), today announced the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which will leverage public and private funding to support global efforts to combat desertification. 80 most vulnerable and drought-affected countries.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ($150 million), the Islamic Development Bank ($1 billion) and the OPEC Fund for International Development ($1 billion) have pledged an initial $2.15 billion to the Riyadh Partnership. The Arab Coordination Group, which consists of 10 institutions based in five countries, is expected to announce its pledges on the second day of COP16.

"The Riyadh Partnership for Drought Resilience will serve as a global facilitator of drought resilience, moving from reactive response to proactive preparedness. We also seek to scale up global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world," said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environmental Affairs at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia and Advisor to the President of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

The Partnership will work to mobilize additional funds through voluntary contributions from countries, financial institutions and philanthropic organizations, among others. These funds and in-kind contributions will help least developed countries and low- and middle-income countries access additional financing through a mix of financing options such as concessional loans, commercial loans, equity participation, savings, insurance and other financial schemes.