Other meetings & events

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) provides a unique opportunity to reform financing at all levels, including to support reform of the international financial architecture and addressing financing challenges preventing the urgently needed investment push for the SDGs. FFD4 Conference will be held in FIBES Sevilla Exhibition and Conference Centre.The International Conferences on Financing for Development are the only space where leaders from all governments, along with international and regional organizations, financial and trade institutions, businesses, civil society and the UN System unite at the highest levels, fostering stronger international cooperation. Discover more.The UNCCD Secretariat, together with the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (UNCCD COP16 Presidency), and IDRA co-chairs Senegal and Spain organize the following event on the sidelines of FfD4:Side event: Unlocking Innovation and Cooperation for Drought Resilience: IDRA and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.Date: Wednesday, 02 July 2025Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (CEST)Venue: Side Event Room 3, FIBES Sevilla Exhibition and Conference Centre 

The Bureau of COP16 will meet on UN Campus in Bonn, Germany, to discuss the organization of CRIC23 and COP17, intersessional processes, budgetary matters and other business. The meeting will open with remarks from the UNCCD Executive Secretary and COP16 President.

As the UNCCD Sport4Land Champion for Inclusion, Jitske Visser leads the charge at the powerful intersection of healthy land, social inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities. Globally, persons with disabilities face mortality rates up to four times higher than those without disabilities during natural disasters. Yet despite making up 15 per cent of the world’s population, they remain routinely excluded from environmental governance and decision-making.This session will bring the issue to the forefront, with insights from a diverse panel of partners and speakers, including representatives from UNDRR and OHCHR, as we work to drive more inclusive approaches to land restoration and environmental action.Join us online — register here. For on-site participation, please RSVP by writing to communications@unccd.int

The Inaugural Conference of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) will bring together senior decision-makers and key stakeholders across sectors to finalize the Partnership’s governance framework and strategic direction. Launched at UNCCD COP16, the RGDRP aims to help countries shift from reactive drought response to proactive preparedness through early warning systems, improved land and water management, and financial tools. The Partnership brings together governments, financial institutions and technical partners to coordinate efforts and build resilience. It complements initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative and leverages tools from the International Drought Resilience Alliance and the Integrated Drought Management Programme.The Inaugural Conference will:Validate the governance arrangements of the Partnership, including announcing its Steering CommitteeConfirm hosting arrangements for the Secretariat and FundDefine next steps for implementation, resource mobilization and alignment with global drought resilience initiatives ahead of UNCCD COP17.This milestone event will convene government officials, development partners, civil society, researchers and private sector actors to secure broad endorsement, mobilize coordinated action and lay the groundwork for long-term drought resilience.

The 22nd UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI) meeting will gather leading scientists and high-level experts in a hybrid format to refine the SPI Work Programme 2025–2026, advancing priorities adopted at UNCCD COP16. Participants will receive updates from the UNCCD Secretariat on the Global Mechanism, policy advocacy, communications, CRIC reporting and the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework.Discussions will feature the launch of three new task teams—Global Land Outlook 3, fast-track assessments and coordination with bodies such as IPCC and IPBES—followed by breakout sessions to set methodologies, responsibilities, timelines and resource needs. Daily plenary reports will synthesize progress, culminating in a summary of outcomes and next steps. Join the meeting online via Zoom: https://unccd-int.zoom.us/j/81694282893