In a significant boost to global efforts to combat land degradation, BRICS leaders have issued a joint statement calling for increased financial resources and stronger partnerships. This statement comes ahead of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-13, 2024.
The BRICS leaders, representing Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, emphasized the urgency of addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought, issues that pose significant threats to the well-being and livelihoods of people and the environment. The statement acknowledges ongoing efforts in sustainable land management but underscores the need for “integrated policies” to effectively tackle these interconnected challenges.
The statement comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the UNCCD COP16, a critical event in the global fight against land degradation, which affects a staggering 40% of the planet and impacts 3.2 billion people, according to UNCCD data. This conference is expected to be the largest UNCCD COP to date, featuring the first-ever Green Zone, a dedicated platform for collaboration and innovation, with a focus on increasing private sector involvement in land restoration.
Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency, welcomed the BRICS leaders’ statement, stating that “Saudi Arabia welcomes the BRICS leaders’ statement on the critical issue of land degradation as it reflects the increasing urgency to slow and ultimately reverse the trend of degrading land worldwide.” He emphasized the importance of forging new partnerships at COP16 to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience efforts, particularly in vulnerable regions.
The UNCCD aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, and research shows that every dollar invested in land restoration can yield up to $30 in economic returns. The international community’s commitment to addressing the root causes of land degradation, drought, and desertification at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh is essential to combatting these issues and securing a sustainable future for the planet.
To learn more about the UNCCD COP16, please visit UNCCDCOP16.org. For media accreditation, visit the UNCCD Online Registration System.
