Riyadh: COP16 saw unprecedented financial commitments, exceeding $12 billion, for initiatives to restore land and build drought resilience, with Saudi Arabia leading the charge.
Organized in Riyadh from December 2 to 13 under the theme “Our land. Our Future”, COP16 brought together more than 196 countries and numerous international organizations. This event marked a crucial step in the fight against global environmental challenges, which put billions of lives at risk.
Among the financial commitments announced at the event, the Arab Coordination Group stood out with a pledge of £10 billion to support global initiatives to combat land degradation, desertification and drought.
Other notable contributions include $1 billion contributed by the OPEC Fund and the Islamic Development Bank, as well as $150 million committed by Saudi Arabia.
A legacy of action and collaboration
Saudi Minister of Environment and COP16 President Abdulrahman Al-Fadhley opened the conference with a call to strengthen international collaboration to combat desertification, with particular emphasis on the regions hardest hit by desertification. climate change.
“The Middle East, one of the regions most severely affected by these challenges, is determined to play a leading role through collaboration and innovation,” said Mr. Al-Fadhley.
He highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is the central pillar of the Kingdom’s green agenda.
This vision aims to restore 40 million hectares of degraded land, extend national reserves to 30% of the territory and increase the share of renewable energies to 50% in the energy mix by 2030.
The Saudi green initiative, launched in 2021, has already planted 95 million trees and restored 111,000 hectares of land.
Outgoing COP15 President Alain-Richard Donwahi of Côte d’Ivoire issued an urgent call for action, while CCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw recalled that nearly 40% of land of the planet are degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people around the world.
He warned that failure to address land degradation could lead to worsening food insecurity, conflict and forced migration.
The Riyadh political declaration
One of the main outcomes of COP16 was the adoption of the Riyadh Political Declaration, a document drafted by the new Friends of the Presidency group.
This declaration establishes a comprehensive framework for land restoration, building drought resilience and sustainable land management globally. It illustrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting international cooperation and achieving concrete results in the fight against desertification.
The Kingdom’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Osama Faqeeha, highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, saying: “The Friends of the Presidency group is ensuring that the outcomes of COP16 are not mere promises. , but concrete measures in favor of global sustainability”.
Mr. Faqeeha also highlighted the urgency of attracting private sector investment to fill the estimated $355 billion annual financing gap needed for land restoration globally.
“The restaurant economy has the potential to generate trillions of dollars in economic benefits, but this requires the active engagement of all sectors,” Mr Faqeeha said.
Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih announced three major renewable energy projects developed in collaboration with French companies, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global green finance market.
“The future of finance is green, and Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global hub for sustainable investments,” said Mr. Al-Falih.
Innovative projects and sustainability initiatives
Saudi Arabia has put forward several transformation projects aimed at balancing economic growth and environmental preservation.
The Red Sea National Sustainability Strategy is an iconic project aimed at protecting 30% of the region’s marine and coastal ecosystems by 2030. It is expected to contribute $8.78 billion annually to the economy and generate 120,000 jobs.
John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, highlighted the project’s commitment to regenerative tourism and renewable energy. “We are planting 50 million mangrove trees and strengthening the protection of coral reefs, in line with our vision of sustainable development,” Mr Pagano said.
In a historic announcement, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) inaugurated the International Water Research Center, aimed at tackling global challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.
The center will develop innovative water solutions in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Saudi climate envoy Adel Al-Jubeir highlighted the link between land degradation and forced migration, noting that 100 million hectares of land are lost each year, exacerbating displacement and security crises.
“When people can no longer produce food, they migrate, which creates tensions and conflicts,” warned Mr. Al-Jubeir. Mr. Thiaw of the UNCCD and shared these concerns, saying that land restoration is essential to ensure global stability and security. Thematic days and key dialogues.
COP16 highlighted several thematic days devoted to key issues, including sustainable agri-food systems, resilience to drought and the preservation of pastures.
Agri-Food Systems Day coincided with World Soil Day, highlighting that unsustainable agricultural practices could lead to a 10% decline in global agricultural yields by 2050.
Faqeeha called for redirecting harmful agricultural subsidies towards sustainable practices to avoid further degradation.
Youth and technology took a central place in the discussions at COP16. Saudi Arabia’s vibrant startup ecosystem, supported by initiatives such as “The Garage” and Vision 2030*, has illustrated how entrepreneurship can become a key driver of sustainability.
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, CEO of KBW Ventures, highlighted the synergy between venture capital and sustainable development, while Robert Wilt, CEO of Ma’aden, highlighted the role of responsible mining in the global energy transition.
Global collaboration and regional leadership
The conference welcomed high-level participants, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who called for intensifying restoration efforts and strengthening international cooperation.
Riyadh Mayor Faisal bin Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf highlighted Riyadh’s ambition to serve as a model for sustainable urban development.
The representative of Hungary commended COP16 for addressing the issue of gender equality, recognizing the essential role of women in combating desertification.
The discussions also highlighted the need for international cooperation to address common challenges, such as sand and dust storms, drought and land degradation.
A way forward
By successfully hosting COP16, Saudi Arabia demonstrated its ambition to shape global environmental policies while strengthening its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
As attention turns to COP17 in Mongolia, the momentum created in Riyadh promises to spur concrete actions towards land restoration, drought resilience and a more sustainable future for all.
This text is the translation of an article published on Arabnews.com
