UNCCD COP16: Closing statement by Ibrahim Thiaw

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!