Call for civil society and private sector representatives to Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership

The UNCCD is launching a call for expressions of interest to identify qualified representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector entities to serve on the Steering Committee of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP).

This is an opportunity for leading actors in drought resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable land and water management to help shape the strategic direction and governance of a global partnership dedicated to shifting the response to drought from reactive crisis management to proactive risk reduction.

About the RGDRP

The RGDRP is the leading international platform focused on advancing global drought resilience. It supports 74 countries—primarily low-income and lower-middle-income economies—in strengthening their capacity to manage and reduce drought risks. The Partnership mobilizes finance, fosters knowledge exchange and promotes inclusive development through its three operational mechanisms: the Readiness Facility, the Investment Facility and the Knowledge Bank.

The Steering Committee is the RGDRP’s highest decision-making body. It brings together 12 representatives from UN agencies, donors, beneficiary countries, technical organizations, civil society and the private sector to ensure inclusive, transparent and accountable governance.

Who can apply?

We are seeking one primary and one alternate representative each from:

1. Civil society organizations (CSOs)

Eligible applicants include CSOs, NGOs and organizations representing women, youth, indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups, accredited to the UNCCD and active in drought resilience or related fields.

2. Private sector entities

Eligible applicants include companies, industry associations, or business platforms engaged in climate-smart innovation, sustainable land and water management, blended finance, or public-private partnerships in drought-prone regions.

Role and responsibilities

Selected representatives will:

• Serve a three-year term (as primary or alternate representative)
• Participate in two Steering Committee meetings annually (in person or virtually)
• Contribute to strategic decision-making, investment planning, and policy coordination
• Represent their broader constituency and ensure continuity through the alternate system

How to apply

Applicants must submit a completed application form (choose the appropriate form based on your category from the menu on the right):

Applications must be submitted in English by 18 August 2025 to: secretariat [at] unccd.int (secretariat[at]unccd[dot]int) and globalmechanism [at] unccd.int (globalmechanism[at]unccd[dot]int)

Additional Information

For full details, consult the terms of reference of the RGDRP steering committee.

We look forward to receiving applications from dynamic, committed actors who are ready to play a meaningful role in advancing global drought resilience.