“Our Land – Our Future”: Key Highlights from UNCCD COP16

The overarching theme of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), “Our Land. Our Future,” underscored the critical importance of sustainable land management and conservation in ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for all. This theme resonated throughout the conference, inspiring leaders and stakeholders to take decisive action to combat desertification and land degradation globally.

The UNCCD: A Global Voice for Land

The UNCCD, established in 1994, remains the only globally binding treaty dedicated to connecting environmental conservation with sustainable land management for development. Signed by 197 countries and the European Union, the UNCCD champions land stewardship to prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation, ensuring the ongoing availability of land-based resources vital for human survival and global sustainability.

About COP16

Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, COP16 brought together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and global stakeholders. The conference aimed to accelerate progress in sustainable land management and marked a pivotal moment for collective action to slow and reverse land degradation. As the loss of fertile land threatens global sustainability, COP16 emphasised that urgent and united action is essential.

Unprecedented Participation

COP16 in Riyadh was the largest and most diverse COP organised by the UNCCD. Over 20,000 participants attended, including approximately 3,500 representatives from civil society organisations. This broad participation reflected a growing recognition of the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to address land degradation and its far-reaching impacts.

Significant Pledges

One of the conference’s most notable outcomes was the pledge of over $12 billion through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership. These funds aim to enhance land restoration and improve global drought preparedness, demonstrating a commitment to combating the challenges posed by climate change and land degradation.

Outcome on Drought Protocol

Despite extensive discussions, COP16 concluded without a legally binding agreement on tackling drought. However, the topic remains a priority and will be revisited at COP17, scheduled to take place in Mongolia in 2026. This highlights the ongoing need for consensus and actionable solutions in addressing this critical issue.

Key Focus Areas

The conference spotlighted critical areas such as land restoration as a cornerstone of sustainable development, building resilience against drought, and the integral role of land in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Advancing women’s land rights was also emphasised as a means to foster inclusivity and equity.

A Dual Approach

For the first time, COP16 introduced a dual approach featuring a Negotiation Track for critical COP decisions and an Action Agenda to showcase voluntary commitments and initiatives by various stakeholders. This innovation provided a comprehensive framework for addressing immediate needs while fostering long-term collaboration.

Thematic Days

The conference hosted several thematic days, each dedicated to specific aspects of sustainability and climate action. These included Land Day, Agri-food System Day, Governance Day, People’s Day, Science, Technology and Innovation Day, Resilience Day, and Finance Day. These thematic days highlighted diverse challenges and opportunities, ensuring a holistic approach to land and climate issues.

Specialised Forums

Engaging a wide array of stakeholders, COP16 featured specialised forums such as the Youth Forum, the Gender Caucus, the Indigenous Peoples Forum, and the Business4Land Forum. These events underscored the importance of inclusivity and diverse perspectives in driving sustainable land management and climate resilience.

GMACC's Contribution

The Hanns Seidel Foundation’s (HSF) Global Project for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC) through its Think Global Sustainability Network supported the participation of a network member from Tunisia at COP16, enabling her to present the work of her NGO and network with global stakeholders. Her contributions focused on innovative solutions for optimised water usage and drought prevention, showcasing impactful practices and fostering international collaboration.

Looking Ahead

COP16 marked a significant milestone in the global effort to combat land degradation and build drought resilience. While challenges remain, the conference set the stage for continued collaboration and innovation, with COP17 in Mongolia offering another opportunity to advance these critical goals. Together, we can ensure a sustainable future for “Our Land. Our Future.”