A landmark UN report reveals that a staggering 77.6% of Earth’s land has experienced drier conditions, fueling a global desertification crisis. The UNCCD summit in Riyadh is tackling this urgent issue, but funding and international cooperation remain major hurdles.
Ahead of the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, BRICS leaders have issued a joint statement urging increased financial support and partnerships to address land degradation, desertification, and drought. The statement highlights the pressing need for global action to protect the environment and prevent further degradation, which affects over 40% of the planet and impacts billions of lives. Saudi Arabia, the host of the UNCCD COP16, welcomes this support as it prepares to lead the global effort to tackle these critical environmental challenges.
Saudi Arabia has urged global policymakers to prioritize tackling land degradation, drought, and desertification ahead of the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh this December. The upcoming conference aims to be a turning point in global efforts to restore degraded land and build resilience against drought, with a focus on achieving the Land Degradation Neutrality targets by 2030.
