- Home
News & stories

Latest news & stories
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear friends,As we close this historic COP16, I am filled with immense gratitude and deep reflection. This COP is not just the conclusion of a meeting; for me, it is the conclusion of a deeply personal journey.Allow me to transport you to the arid landscapes of my childhood for a moment, where drought was not just an occasional episode, but a constant challenge woven into the daily lives of our communities. I remember the resilience of women striving to make the land yield against all odds, the ingenuity of farmers working with nature to survive, and the deep connection we had with our environment. It is from these experiences of resilience that my deep-seated conviction for land restoration emerged; a belief that has guided me throughout my professional life.My work with you has been shaped by this bridge between personal conviction and a professional pledge; between local interventions in my home community and global impact. Mr. President, Allow me to first extend my heartfelt thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership as well as its people for its exceptional clairvoyance in hosting this COP. Thank you for the unwavering commitment to elevating the global land restoration and drought resilience agenda. COP16 has been a COP like no other in the 30 years life of the UNCCD. By far the largest, the most inclusive and the most complex Conference. And I would add the most beautiful and efficient facility. First, we have elevated the land and drought agenda beyond sector-specific discussions, establishing it as a cornerstone of global efforts to address interconnected challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, migration, and global security. While Parties need more time to agree on the best way forward as to how to address the critical issue of drought, I am filled with hope with the launching of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership; a landmark initiative to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time.We all welcome the pledges made in that regard by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ten members the Arab Coordination Group, amounting to USD 12.15 billion.We also leave COP16 with a robust Ministerial Political Declaration. It is a powerful testament to our shared ambition and determination, aligned with the United Nations' pillars and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The 39 important decisions that were adopted by this COP will serve as a guidance not only to all Governments in the world, but also to the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities. Second, this COP has precisely been about People. Farmers, pastoralists, Indigenous peoples, women, and youth are at the heart of our efforts to create a more equitable and resilient future. Their voices have guided our work and inspired our collective action.Third, Women’s rights and secure land tenure have been firmly recognized as central pillars of our work, ensuring that those most impacted by land degradation and drought are further associated with our decision-making processes. To the Parties, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve and work alongside you over the past six years. Your commitment to addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought issues has given the space and the authorizing environment to operate.To the entire UNCCD team, who worked tirelessly to deliver this COP: thank you for your extraordinary professionalism, passion, and belief in the mission of UNCCD. Delivering this COP was nothing short of a moonshot—a bold and ambitious effort that required exceptional dedication and teamwork.Witnessing your determination, creativity, and commitment throughout this journey has been profoundly inspiring. Your contributions have shaped me and this moment. Their impact will resonate far beyond the perimeter of this COP, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the invisible hands --who, to me, are very visible— including our incredible volunteers, those working tirelessly in the pavilions, across this incredible site. My deep appreciation to our UN Security Officers, to our interpreters, logisticians, editors and translators, and to all service providers who allow us to operate so efficiently. Mr. President, As I conclude, my thoughts go to the most vulnerable communities. I believe that this COP was not just another UN meeting; it was a call to action. It was a space where discussions and policies laid the groundwork for real, tangible change. But the true measure of our success will not be defined by what we agreed here; but rather by what we did with it.As we leave this COP, the real work begins. With political will, the solutions are within our grasp. The actions we took today will shape not only the future of our planet but also the lives, livelihoods, and opportunities of those that we know: land is the only asset there is. Mr. President,Excellency Minister Al Fadley: at the risk of offending your modesty, allow me to express, from the bottom of my heart, my personal appreciation to you. You never failed to listen attentively and to respond to my multiple requests and those of my colleagues. I would also like to thank your team for the excellent collaboration and the strong bonds we have built up with them. Starting with Dr Osama, who spared no effort to ensure the success of this COP. And to all the Saudi teams, who have shown us that united and determined, we can move mountains. I could not be more humbled by what we have achieved together. Thank you!

UNCCD COP16 Finance Day: Mobilizing Investment in Land RestorationJournalists are invited to attend Day 10 of UNCCD COP16, which spotlights the need to address the gaps in finance for land restoration, drought resilience, and combating degradation and desertification. On Finance Day, ministries, donor agencies and investment funds from both the public and private sector are called to seek for new ways to mobilize investment in sustainable land management.Key EventsRestor and G20 Global Land Initiative Announce the RestorLife Awards to Celebrate Restoration ChampionsWhen: 18:00 -18:30Where: Blue Zone Restoration PavillionRestor and the G20 Global Land Initiative Coordination Office of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have partnered to host an awards competition called RestorLife Awards. Starting this year, the awards will be hosted on the Restor platform, the largest network of community-led restoration and conservation efforts across the globe, the RestorLife Awards recognize and support outstanding achievements of nature stewards in their nature restoration journey that contribute to a fair and sustainable future for all. Register here: bit.ly/3AAd4rmOther Press EventsMedia Briefing on the Great Green Wall Investments Signed at COP-16When: 12:00-12:45Where: MET-17Speakers:Gilles Amadou Ouedraogo, Program Officer, Global Mechanism of the UNCCDCathrine Mutambirwa, Programme Coordinator LDN and Land Restoration at Global Mechanism of the UNCCDExperts will deep dive into the following investments signed here at COP16 for various Great Green Wall projects as well as the "Creating Lands of Opportunities: Transforming Livelihoods through Landscape Restoration in the Sahel (LOGMe)" project and the “Strengthening Coordination and Implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative” project.Media AccreditationAll journalists must be accredited to attend. Accreditation can be completed through the Online Registration System (ORS). Additional information, including the full agenda and session details, is available on the COP16 website.For inquiries, contact press@unccd.intKey resources Press releases and other media materials from COP16 updated daily hereUNCCD COP16 Trello Board, including branding guidelines and key messagesUNCCD COP16 websiteHost country website COP16 conference app available in the Apple app store and Google PlayUN WebTV – live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages.Press and media kitSocial media kitPhoto assets – Flickr and Earth Negotiation BulletinPress Conference ScheduleUNCCD TerminologyThe Arab Fund Launches Water Observatory to Advance Investments in Regional Water Security at COP16Future Key COP16 Events for Media Closing Press Conference (12 December, 15:00)

Sand and dust storms (SDS) are a normal part of the global environment. Like flooding, SDS provide a range of benefits as well as having the potential for triggering damages. Human action can increase the frequency or severity of SDS, causing unnecessary and avoidable harm to society, the economy and the environment. Recognizing that the risks and harm done by SDS can be mitigated or even prevented, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has been actively involved in improving capacities to manage this hazard. In 2022, the UNCCD, in collaboration with WMO, FAO and the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) developed the SDS Toolbox to support stakeholders in accessing information to better manage the risks posed by SDS. The SDS Toolbox built upon the SDS Compendium, a collaborative effort among multiple UN partners, to provide practical guidance on how to use the contents of the SDS Compendium and other technical resources to more effectively manage SDS. Over the last two years, there has been a notable expansion of knowledge and lessons learned on how to effectively manage SDS sources and impacts. This Technical Update of the SDS Toolbox, released during Resilience Day at UNCCD COP16, includes the following upgrades: Links to networks of experts working to understand and manage SDS, intended to improve knowledge sharing and collaboration. Access to the WMO Airborne Dust Bulletins. New case studies on SDS source management in Canada (Saskatchewan), Iceland and the United States (California and New Mexico). Detailed guidance on the use of the SDS Visualization Tool. An update on the WMO SDS-WAS monitoring and warning system. Access to public information documents about SDS.Additional examples of SDS impact management plans. An upgrade and expansion of guidance on managing SDS Sources. This includes an increase in the number of SDS source management options, accompanied by additional sustainable land use technologies. There are new search functions with more detailed descriptions for each option, including links to additional resources, providing a single source of SDS management options not previously assembled in one place. This technical upgrade of the SDS Toolbox involved experts from FAO, WMO, US Department of Agriculture, ICARDA, WOCAT, University of Saskatchewan, George Mason University, New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, California, USA.

Resilience Day at UNCCD COP16: Strengthening Ecosystems and Societies Against Threats to LandMembers of the press are invited to Day 9 of UNCCD COP16, which focuses on building resilience against global challenges to land such as desertification, water scarcity and degradation through proactive approaches such as early warning systems and nature-based solutions. The day’s activities are on scaling up land restoration, strengthening early warning systems, and promoting water security and drought preparedness.Key EventsOpening Session: Resilience to address the challenges of land degradation, desertification, drought and water scarcityWhen: 09:00-10:00Where: MET-33This session will set the stage of the day and will bring high level speakers to discuss – what is needed to scale up resilience globally and increase action to combat land desertification, ecosystems degradation, drought and water scarcity.International Drought Resilience Observatory Expert ExchangeWhen: 13:30-14:30Where: MET-24Closing Event: Connecting DLDD, SDS and water scarcity with Integrated Land SolutionsWhen: 17:30-18:30Where: MET-33Resilience Day showcased a range of interdisciplinary and integrated actions and solutions that can be scaled up to enhance the resilience of communities, countries, and regions across the globe. It argued for an inclusive and transformative approach that promotes land restoration and nature-based solutions, long-term investment and contingency planning, risk and impact assessment, early warning systems, evidence and research for replication, capacity strengthening for scale, policy upgrades, risk financing (e.g., insurance), and a bottom-up/people-ecosystems- centered approach capable of facilitating resilience.Other Press EventsVoice of Civil Society Organizations Press Conference: CSOs at the heart of the fight against desertificationWhen: 11:00-11:30Where: MET-17This event will focus on topics relevant to civil society organizations (CSOs), with discussions on the intersection of land restoration, policy action, and civil society contributions.Media AccreditationAll journalists must be accredited to attend. Accreditation can be completed through the Online Registration System (ORS). Additional information, including the full agenda and session details, is available on the COP16 website.For inquiries, contact press@unccd.intKey resources Press releases and other media materials from COP16 updated daily hereUNCCD COP16 Trello Board, including branding guidelines and key messagesUNCCD COP16 websiteHost country website COP16 conference app available in the Apple app store and Google PlayUN WebTV – live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages.Press and media kitSocial media kitPhoto assets – Flickr and Earth Negotiation Bulletin Press Conference ScheduleUNCCD Terminology

UNCCD COP16: Launch of the Global Aridity Trends Report and Science-Policy InnovationsJournalists are invited to attend Day 8 of UNCCD COP16, where science takes center stage in driving solutions to combat desertification and land degradation. The day’s highlights include the launch of The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and Global Aridity Trends and Future Projections report, offering critical insights into aridity trends and their implications for sustainable land management.Key EventsScience Pavilion (Green Zone) - Science-Policy Interface (SPI) DayWhen: 09:00 – 18:00Where: Science Pavilion (Green Zone)A full-day showcase of groundbreaking scientific insights and their application in global policy efforts. The event underscores science's essential role in achieving sustainable land management and combating desertification.SPI Press Conference for The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections ReportWhen: 12:00-13:00Where: MET-17SpeakersBarron Orr, UNCCD Chief ScientistNichole Barger, Science Policy Interface (SPI) Co- chair, Professor Emeritus and the University of Colorado at Boulder in the United States Narcisa Pricope, Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University Sergio Vicente -Serrano, Scientific Researcher at the Pyrenean Institute of EcologyThe Science-Policy Interface (SPI) will host a press conference to release the Aridification Report, highlighting scientific findings and the urgent need to address the effects of aridification in combating land degradation and desertification.High-Level Interactive Dialogue: Healing Our Land Through Science and Earth IntelligenceWhen: 13:00 – 15:00Where: MET-33A high-level interactive dialogue featuring scientific leaders and policymakers discussing innovative Earth Intelligence tools and their transformative impact on land restoration efforts and ecosystem resilience.Youth Negotiators Academy Press ConferenceWhen: Monday, 9 December 2024, 14:00 – 14:30Where: MET-17Speakers:Marie-Claire Graf, Co-Founder of Youth Negotiators AcademyVeena Balakrishnan, Co-Founders of Youth Negotiators AcademyThe Youth Negotiators Academy is an organisation that was founded in 2022 to train young people to join their country delegations and negotiate across the three Rio Conventions. This year they are taking a large cohort of young negotiators trained in our Land Youth Negotiator Programme to participate in the negotiations at UNCCD COP16.Media AccreditationAll journalists must be accredited to attend. Accreditation can be completed through the Online Registration System (ORS). Additional information, including the full agenda and session details, is available on the COP16 website.For inquiries, contact press@unccd.intKey resources Press releases and other media materials from COP16 updated daily hereUNCCD COP16 Trello Board, including branding guidelines and key messagesUNCCD COP16 websiteHost country website COP16 conference app available in the Apple app store and Google PlayUN WebTV – live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages.Press and media kitSocial media kitPhoto assets – Flickr and Earth Negotiation Bulletin Press Conference ScheduleYoung Negotiators Take on UN COP16!Future Key COP16 Events for Media 9 December: Launch of the Global Aridity Trends Report

Naomi Akakpo, Asmaa Niang, Jitske Visser et Franck Kessié unissent leurs forces pour soutenir des terres saines et la résilience face à la sécheresse à la COP16 de la CNULCDRiyad, Arabie saoudite, 7 décembre 2024 – La Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification (CNULCD) a dévoilé aujourd’hui ses tout premiers champions #Sport4Land lors de la COP16, la plus grande conférence des Nations Unies sur les terres organisées à ce jour dans la région du Moyen-Orient. Lancée plus tôt cette année lors des Jeux olympiques de Paris, la campagne #Sport4Land vise à tirer parti de l’attrait universel du sport pour lutter contre la crise mondiale des terres, marquée par la perte stupéfiante de quatre terrains de football de terres productives chaque seconde.Les quatre champions #Sport4Land se joindront à la CNULCD, l’une des trois conventions de Rio avec celles sur le climat et la biodiversité, dans sa mission urgente de restaurer les terres dégradées et de renforcer la résilience face à la sécheresse, tout en inspirant les communautés du monde entier à agir collectivement.Naomi Akakpo, hurdleuse olympique du Togo, a souligné le lien fondamental entre la santé des terres, la sécurité alimentaire et le bien-être humain. « La terre est bien plus qu’une ressource — c’est notre fondation », a-t-elle déclaré. « Lorsque nous restaurons des terres dégradées, nous redonnons vie et opportunité à d’innombrables communautés. » Inspirée par sa devise, « Beyond Limits », le plaidoyer de Naomi incarne des actions audacieuses et innovantes en faveur de la restauration des terres.Asmaa Niang, sextuple championne d’Afrique de judo originaire du Maroc, a établi un parallèle entre la discipline nécessaire dans son sport et les stratégies indispensables pour combattre la désertification. « Le judo m’a appris la résilience et la stratégie », a-t-elle expliqué. « Ce sont les mêmes outils dont nous avons besoin pour lutter contre la désertification. Ce n’est pas seulement une lutte pour la terre ; c’est une lutte pour chaque famille et chaque communauté qui en dépend. » Tirant parti de son parcours multiculturel et de son esprit nomade, Asmaa collabore avec la Fondation Yzza Slaoui pour autonomiser les filles et les femmes rurales des régions du Maroc les plus touchées par la désertification.Jitske Visser, médaillée d’or paralympique en basket-ball en fauteuil roulant des Pays-Bas, a souligné l’impact disproportionné de la dégradation des terres et de la sécheresse sur les populations marginalisées. « Les personnes en situation de handicap sont souvent exclues des solutions environnementales, bien qu’elles soient parmi les plus vulnérables face à leurs effets », a-t-elle déclaré. « Cette campagne vise à briser les barrières, à veiller à ce que personne ne soit laissé pour compte et à démontrer que l’inclusion est essentielle pour réussir. »Franck Kessié, footballeur ivoirien actuellement joueur du club Al-Ahli dans la Saudi Pro League, a mis en avant l’engagement des jeunes en faveur de terres saines, notant que « Le sport nous enseigne la résilience, le travail d’équipe et la force de l’unité. Ce sont exactement les valeurs dont nous avons besoin pour relever la crise des terres. »Le Secrétaire exécutif de la CNULCD, Ibrahim Thiaw, a déclaré : « Félicitations à nos nouveaux champions qui mènent la lutte contre la désertification, la dégradation des terres, la sécheresse et l’insécurité alimentaire. Votre détermination à sensibiliser à ces enjeux critiques apporte de l’espoir à d’innombrables communautés, y compris les jeunes et les plus vulnérables, notamment les personnes en situation de handicap. »Lors de l’événement d’annonce organisé à la COP16, les nouveaux champions ont partagé leurs parcours personnels et réfléchi à la manière dont leurs carrières sportives se connectent à la lutte mondiale contre la dégradation des terres.Selon les données de la CNULCD, 100 millions d’hectares — une superficie équivalente à celle de l’Égypte — deviennent dégradés chaque année. Cet impact met en péril les moyens de subsistance de plus d’un milliard de jeunes dans les pays en développement qui dépendent de la terre pour leur survie. Parmi les personnes touchées, les personnes en situation de handicap — soit 16 % de la population mondiale — font face à des défis uniques, allant de l’accès limité aux ressources à leur exclusion des processus décisionnels et des efforts de redressement.À propos de Sport4LandSport4Land est une campagne mondiale de la Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification (CNULCD) visant à unir la communauté sportive dans la lutte contre la dégradation des terres, la désertification et la sécheresse. Alors que le changement climatique accélère les sécheresses, les vagues de chaleur et la dégradation des terres, les impacts se font sentir non seulement sur les terrains de jeu, mais aussi sur la nourriture que nous consommons, les moyens de subsistance dont nous dépendons et l’environnement que nous partageons.Lancée lors des Jeux olympiques de Paris 2024, la campagne engage les athlètes et les fans du monde entier à agir pour la restauration des terres. Des athlètes de renom tels qu’Asmaa Niang, Naomi Akakpo, Jitske Visser et Franck Kessié soutiendront cette initiative pour mettre en lumière le lien critique entre des terres saines et des communautés prospères.Site web: Sport4Land Campaign
