BRICS Leaders Sound the Alarm on Land Degradation Ahead of UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh
The leaders of the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – have issued a strong call to action, urging the international community to prioritize efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. This joint statement comes ahead of the highly anticipated UNCCD COP16, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-13.
The BRICS leaders have recognized the urgent and growing threat these environmental challenges pose to global well-being. They emphasize that these issues not only impact the environment but also threaten the livelihoods and well-being of billions of people worldwide. While acknowledging ongoing efforts in sustainable land management, the leaders stress the need for a comprehensive, integrated approach that tackles these interconnected problems.
Saudi Arabia, the host of UNCCD COP16, welcomes the BRICS statement and acknowledges the critical importance of addressing land degradation on a global scale. “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,” said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency.
Dr. Faqeeha further emphasized the need for collaborative action at the upcoming conference: “At COP16 in Riyadh, we will work to forge new partnerships that can accelerate land restoration and drought resilience efforts, particularly in vulnerable regions.”
The UNCCD COP16 is poised to be the largest gathering of its kind, and will feature a dedicated Green Zone, a platform designed to foster collaboration and innovation in land restoration. The Green Zone will serve as a space for businesses, organizations, and individuals to connect and share knowledge, promoting increased private sector involvement in land restoration efforts.
The conference aligns with the UNCCD’s ambitious goal of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. This goal recognizes the significant economic benefits of land restoration, with the UNCCD reporting that every dollar invested in land restoration can yield up to $30 in economic returns.
As the international community prepares for the UNCCD COP16, the urgent need to address land degradation, desertification, and drought is clear. The BRICS statement serves as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all.
