Saudi Arabia Highlights Major COP16 Achievements Ahead of Presidency Handover to Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has highlighted major achievements during its nearly two-year presidency of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), including mobilizing more than $12 billion in financial pledges to combat land degradation.
The Kingdom highlighted the outcomes of its COP16 presidency ahead of the formal handover of the presidency to Mongolia, underscoring its continued commitment to addressing land degradation, drought and environmental challenges.
The COP16 conference, held in Riyadh, attracted more than 100,000 participants from 170 countries, significantly exceeding attendance at previous conferences. The event featured more than 820 activities and 100 pavilions, with participation from 50 countries and around 70 regional, international and local organizations.
Participants at COP16 also agreed on 24 provisions forming the basis of a drought-related decision, helping advance international negotiations ahead of COP17.
Among the key initiatives promoted during Saudi Arabia’s presidency was the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which secured more than $2 billion in financial pledges. The Kingdom also advanced the International Initiative for Early Warning for Sand and Dust Storms.
The Riyadh Action Agenda expanded from more than 35 initiatives announced during COP16 to 100 initiatives, supporting efforts to restore degraded forests, rangelands and agricultural land while reducing the impacts of drought.
COP16 also introduced a Green Zone alongside the Blue Zone for the first time and recorded the largest private-sector participation in the history of UNCCD conferences, including the inaugural Business for Land Forum.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environment Dr. Osama bin Ibrahim Faqeeha said Saudi Arabia’s presidency had brought land degradation and drought to the forefront of international attention.
He said the transfer of the COP16 presidency to Mongolia represented a transition rather than the conclusion of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, noting that the Kingdom would continue supporting COP16 outcomes and international initiatives.
At COP17, Saudi Arabia is participating in conference proceedings and negotiations, organizing events on the official agenda and highlighting achievements under the Middle East Green Initiative.
The Saudi pavilion in the Blue Zone is also scheduled to host 40 side events involving 22 local entities, further showcasing the Kingdom’s environmental initiatives and its continued engagement in global efforts to address land degradation and drought.
