Saudi Arabia is stepping onto the global stage as it hosts the COP16 UN Conference on Land Degradation and Desertification, running from December 2 to December 13. This gathering plays host to nearly 100 government ministers and thousands of delegates, marking the significance of the event as countries come together to tackle pressing environmental challenges.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the importance of this meeting, referring to it as a "moonshot moment" for efforts to protect, restore, and respond to the impacts of drought. Guterres called on nations to commit serious resources to combat land degradation, which has become increasingly urgent as the effects of climate change spiral out of control.
Land degradation doesn’t just mean less space for animals to roam; it disrupts ecosystems and threatens food security. It refers to the harm done to land productivity by human actions like pollution and deforestation. Desertification, the most extreme form of this degradation, poses significant challenges to nations, especially those located within arid regions like Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Environment Minister Osama Faqeeha highlighted the reality the kingdom faces: "We are exposed to the harshest mode of land degradation which is desertification. Our land is arid. Our rainfall is very little, and this is the reality, and we have been dealing with this for centuries." The kingdom understands all too well the detrimental effects desertification can have, not just locally but globally.
The stakes are high. Degradation of land is at risk of making agricultural lands less productive, which can lead to food shortages and could trigger mass migrations. This concern is only compounded by the recent commitments made at the last convention gathering, which took place in Ivory Coast in 2022. At this earlier conference, countries pledged to restore one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, but recent assessments indicate this target must be ramped up to 1.5 billion hectares globally to effectively combat crises related to drought.
Among the proactive measures proposed by Saudi Arabia is the ambitious plan to restore 40 million hectares of degraded land. While Faqeeha did not provide a timeline for this restoration, he did note significant progress—with around 240,000 hectares being recovered so far via initiatives such as illegal logging bans and the expansion of national parks.
Another key to restoration involves sustainable practices such as tree planting, crop rotation, and wetland restoration. Following the recent COP29 climate talks, where economic discussions produced what many deemed inadequate funding commitments for climate finance, there is hope COP16 will push for clearer agreements on land restoration.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw expressed the need for collective action, stating, "We have already lost 40 percent of our land and our soils. Global security is really at stake, and you see it all over the world." For many political leaders, the discussions at COP16, focusing on degradation, are potentially more influential and complicated than the conversations surrounding climate change. This factor could lend Saudi Arabia more credibility as it participates fully, highlighting its vulnerabilities to desertification without the same level of direct responsibility for climate change itself.
Despite these environmental initiatives, Saudi Arabia has faced criticism for its role as one of the world's largest oil producers. Activists claim it often downplays the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels to address climate change effectively. This has created tension, especially as the world increasingly calls for sustainable practices.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, has attempted to balance criticism with significant social reforms, aimed at revitalizing the economy and attracting international investments through events like the Riyadh talks. The COP16 conference reflects this dual effort—achieving international goals on environmental recovery, alongside advancing domestic economic aspirations.
Attending dignitaries include French President Emmanuel Macron, slated to participate at the One Water Summit happening alongside COP16, indicating the international attention the conference is drawing. What’s unique about the event is also the expectation for civil society engagement, which typically faces restrictions within Saudi Arabia.
UNCCD hopes to see strong participation from civil society organizations throughout the proceedings. Faqeeha acknowledged, "We are welcoming all constructive engagement." During the conference, the rules of engagement upheld by the UN mean all voices will have the opportunity to express themselves—though there’s uncertainty surrounding the allowance of protests, which are rare within the kingdom.
The rich discussions throughout COP16 are poised to address both global challenges and local realities. Saudi Arabia aims to highlight its grave vulnerability to desertification, which directly endangers the nation’s future and is closely tied to regional global security. With land degradation happening "under the radar," Faqeeha insists the time for action is now, before losses escalate beyond repair.
