Image: UNCCD COP16
In a key move to address the escalating global threat of droughts, Saudi Arabia and its international partners officially launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the opening day of the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh.
The initiative is poised to bring about a transformative shift in global drought management, focusing on proactive preparedness rather than reactive crisis response.
The partnership, which is in collaboration with the UNCCD and various global stakeholders, aims to enhance early warning systems, improve vulnerability assessments, and increase access to financing for drought risk mitigation.
The goal is to reduce the impact of droughts by shifting from emergency relief to long-term resilience strategies.
Dr Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, underscored the significance of the initiative. “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience,” he said. “We seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world. It is far more cost-effective to take a proactive approach to drought resilience than a reactive one.”
The partnership will operate under a permanent office, which will connect vulnerable communities and countries with existing resources while maximising the impact of ongoing initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has committed to covering the costs of the partnership’s operations for at least the next 10 years, demonstrating the kingdom’s long-term commitment to drought resilience.
A $12bn boost for drought and land restoration efforts
The launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership comes on the heels of a major funding announcement at COP16, with over $12bn pledged towards land restoration and drought resilience efforts.
The Arab Coordination Group, an influential regional institution, committed $10bn to combat desertification and land degradation, while the OPEC Fund and the Islamic Development Bank each pledged $1bn to the Riyadh initiative.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has contributed $150m to operationalise the partnership.
Dr Faqeeha hailed the pledges as a pivotal moment, stating, “With over $12bn pledged for major land restoration and drought resilience initiatives in just the first two days, COP16 in Riyadh is already proving a landmark moment in the fight against drought.” He expressed hope that further contributions would follow, amplifying the impact of these vital global efforts.
The additional funding comes amid growing concerns about the scale of global drought challenges. According to the UNCCD, nearly 1.84 billion people were affected by drought in 2022, with over 55 countries declaring drought emergencies between 2020 and 2023.
The most vulnerable regions, including Africa and Latin America, have experienced severe impacts, with large portions of land affected by drought. These conditions are driving food and water insecurity, economic instability, and displacement.
A call for global action
Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, emphasized the urgency of addressing drought in low- and middle-income countries, which bear the brunt of its impacts. “While no nation is immune to drought, 85 per cent of the people impacted by it live in low- and middle-income countries,” Thiaw noted. “In a globalised world, it is our collective responsibility, and our shared interest, to liberate everybody, everywhere, from the worst impacts of drought.”
The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will also focus on unlocking new financial mechanisms, such as credit, equity financing, insurance products, and grants, to enhance drought resilience. It aims to create synergies with other ongoing initiatives and mobilise resources to better prepare communities for future droughts.
Urgent need for funds, private sector engagement
Despite the promising funding commitments, a financial gap remains.
According to a recent UNCCD report released during COP16, there is a substantial shortfall in funding for land restoration and drought resilience efforts. The report estimates that $355bn per year will be needed to meet UNCCD targets for 2025–2030.
However, the projected investments stand at just $77bn annually, leaving a funding gap of $278bn.
Dr Faqeeha also highlighted the underrepresentation of the private sector in funding these efforts, with private investments currently accounting for just 6 per cent of global funding for land restoration.
This comes despite the potential for land restoration to generate significant economic returns, with UNCCD estimating that restoring over one billion hectares of land could yield up to $1.8tn annually.
The partnership and the ongoing financial pledges signal a crucial turning point in global drought management, emphasising the need for international collaboration and proactive solutions.
As COP16 continues in Riyadh, stakeholders are hopeful that more pledges will be made to support these essential initiatives, which could change the trajectory of drought-affected communities for generations to come.
Conference on until December 13
The UNCCD COP16 conference is taking place from December 2-13, at Boulevard Riyadh World, Saudi Arabia.
The conference themed ‘Our Land. Our Future’ will mark the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD and aims to secure multilateral action on critical issues such as drought resilience, land tenure, and sand and dust storms.
