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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 14 December — After two weeks of intense negotiations on how to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought, the largest and most inclusive United Nations land conference wrapped up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The nearly 200 countries convening at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) committed to prioritize land restoration and drought resilience in national policies and international cooperation as an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation. Nations also made significant progress in laying the groundwork for  a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. In the meanwhile, more than USD 12 billion were pledged to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought around the world, especially in the most vulnerable countries.Among the main agreements reached at COP16 were the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented; a continuation of the Convention’s Science-Policy Interface to strengthen science-based decision-making, and the mobilization of private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative.COP16 was the largest and most inclusive UNCCD COP to date: it attracted more than 20,000 participants, around 3,500 of them from civil society, and featured more than 600 events as part of the first Action Agenda to involve non-state actors in the work of the Convention.In a prepared statement, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized “Our work does not end with the closing of COP16. We must continue to tackle the climate crisis—it is a call to action for all of us to embrace inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Youth and Indigenous peoples must be at the heart of these conversations. Their wisdom, their voices, and their creativity are indispensable as we craft a sustainable future with renewed hope for generations to come.”In his closing remarks, COP16 President, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, said the meeting marked a turning point in raising international awareness of the pressing need to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.“The Kingdom’s hosting of this important conference reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development. It reaffirms its dedication to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought. We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world.”Addressing COP16 closing plenary, Under-Secretary-General and UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw stated: “As we have discussed and witnessed, 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 who depend on it.”He further emphasized a significant shift in the global approach to land and drought issues, highlighting the interconnected challenges with broader global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, forced migration, and global stability.Financial needs and pledgesDuring the Conference, participants heard that UNCCD estimates that at least USD 2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore more than one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought. This equals USD 1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.New pledges for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness were announced, such as the  Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership which attracted USD 12.15 billion to support 80 of the world’s most vulnerable countries in building their resilience to drought, including a USD 10 billion pledge from the Arab Coordination Group.The Great Green Wall (GGW), an African-led initiative to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, also mobilized EUR 11 million from the Italian Government for landscape restoration in the Sahel and EUR 3.6 million from the Austrian Government to strengthen the coordination and implementation of the initiative across 22 African countries. The drive is part of the GGW Accelerator, a UNCCD-supported effort to achieve the ambitions for a greener, more prosperous Sahel.Additionally, the United States and several partner countries and organizations announced total investments of nearly USD 70 million to advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS). The initiative looks to build resilient food systems grounded in diverse, nutritious, and climate-adapted crops grown in healthy soils.The first-ever UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa provided an opportunity to shine a light on the specific challenges facing the region and bring to the fore innovative solutions to land degradation and drought.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced five new projects valued at USD 60 million to ramp up climate and environmental efforts as part of the Saudi Green Initiative. The UNCCD COP16 Presidency also announced the launch of an international sand and dust storm monitoring initiative. This effort, part of a regional early warning system, aims to complement existing efforts overseen by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).The International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO), the first global AI-driven platform to help countries assess, and enhance, their capacity to cope with harsher droughts. This innovative tool is an initiative of the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), which Saudi Arabia joined earlier this year. Greater voice for Indigenous Peoples and other non-state actorsIn a landmark decision, Parties requested the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities. The objective is to ensure that their unique perspectives and priorities are adequately represented in the work of the Convention. The declaration ‘Sacred Lands’, presented during the inaugural Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at a UNCCD COP, underscored the role of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable resource management and called for greater involvement in global land and drought governance, including through participation in land restoration efforts.“Today, history has been made”, said Indigenous People representative Oliver Tester from Australia. “We look forward to championing our commitment to protect Mother Earth through a dedicated Caucus, and leave this space trusting that our voices be heard.”COP16 also saw the biggest youth participation to date, building on the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy and Action Plan, that seeks to give youth a more prominent role in land and drought negotiations and  action, and provide technical and financial support for youth-led initiatives.On the gender front, countries underscored the need to pay special attention to all forms of discrimination faced by women and girls when designing and implementing policy and programmes related to land degradation and drought.In recognition of the important role of the  private sector, which currently contributes only 6% of financing towards land restoration and drought resilience, Parties have mandated the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to mobilize private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative. The decision emphasizes the critical role of private sector advocacy, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and sustainable finance in addressing DLDD challenges. The decision comes after the Business4Land Forum, which brought together the largest-ever number of private sector participants at a UNCCD COP — more than 400— from industries like finance, fashion, agri-food, and pharmaceuticals.Stronger science on land and droughtAcknowledging the role of science as the foundation for sound policies, the Parties agreed on the continuation of UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI), which was created at COP11 in 2013 to translate scientific findings into recommendations for decision-makers. At COP16, for instance, the SPI presented definitive evidence that three quarters of the Earth’s ice-free surface have become permanently drier in the past 30 years, with a predicted five billion people living in drylands by 2100, showing the urgency to take action.A new UNCCD report, The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and global aridity trends and future projections, revealed that some 77.6% of Earth’s land has experienced drier conditions since the 1990s compared to the previous 30-year period. Over the same period, drylands — an arid area with low rainfall— expanded by about 4.3 million km2 equal to an area nearly a third larger than India, the world’s 7th largest country. Drylands now cover 40.6% of all land on Earth excluding Antarctica.Seven of nine planetary boundaries are negatively impacted by unsustainable land use, highlighted the UNCCD report Stepping back from the precipice: Transforming land management to stay within planetary boundaries, produced in collaboration with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, which explains how land degradation is undermining Earth’s capacity to sustain a growing human population. The report reiterates that agriculture accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of deforestation, and 70% of freshwater use, and calls for an urgent land use transition to step away from the precipice.According to UNCCD’s newly released World Drought Atlas and Economics of Drought Resilience reports, droughts affect the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people worldwide, pushing already vulnerable communities to the brink. They also cost an estimated USD 300 billion per year, threatening key economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water.From Riyadh to MongoliaFor the first time, UNCCD Parties made a decision encouraging the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands — vast ecosystems used for grazing — ahead of COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia in 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. These ecosystems cover half of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and are the dominant land use in the world’s drylands, but have long been overlooked and are disappearing faster than rainforests.The degradation of rangelands threatens one-sixth of global food supplies, potentially depleting one-third of the Earth's carbon reserves. Some two billion people who live in pastoral areas are among the world’s most vulnerable in the face of desertification, land degradation and drought.ENDNOTESMedia inquiries:For media enquiries, please contact the UNCCD Press Office at press@unccd.int or unccd@portland-communications.comCOP16 decisions are available here: https://www.unccd.int/cop16/official-documentsAbout UNCCDThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss.About COP16The Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the Convention as its main decision-making body. It is made up of UNCCD’s 197 Parties (196 countries and the European Union) and is responsible for guiding the Convention so that it can respond to global challenges and national needs.  UNCCD COP16 will be a landmark event to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centred approach. Coinciding with the Convention’s 30th anniversary, UNCCD COP16 was the first major UN conference hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was also the first time a UNCCD COP was held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which knows firsthand the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought.

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!

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.

干燥：重新定义地球生命的“生存危机”到2100年，50亿人可能受到影响 沙特阿拉伯，利雅得 – 联合国科学家今天在一份严峻的新分析报告中警告说，尽管与水有关的重大灾害，如洪水和风暴在世界某些地区愈演愈烈，但近几十年来，地球上超过四分之三的土地永久性变干。根据《联合国防治荒漠化公约（UNCCD）》的里程碑式报告，与此前30年相比，在2020年之前的30年里，约77.6%的地球土地遭遇了更干燥的条件。在同一时期，旱地扩大了约430万平方公里（面积比世界第七大国家印度还大近三分之一），现在覆盖了地球上所有陆地（不包括南极洲）的40.6%。近几十年来，全球约7.6%的土地（面积比加拿大还大）跨越了干燥阈值（即从非旱地变为旱地，或从干燥程度较低的旱地变为干燥程度较高的旱地）。这些地区中的大多数已经从湿润地貌转变为旱地，对农业、生态系统和生活在那里的人们产生了严重的影响。 该研究警告称，如果世界不能遏制温室气体排放，到本世纪末，世界还将有3%的湿润地区变成旱地。 在温室气体高排放情景下，预计美国中西部、墨西哥中部、委内瑞拉北部、巴西东北部、阿根廷东南部、整个地中海地区、黑海沿岸、非洲南部大部分地区和澳大利亚南部的旱地将扩大。这份题为《土地干旱的全球威胁：区域和全球干燥趋势与未来预测》的报告发布于在沙特阿拉伯利雅得举行的《联合国防治荒漠化公约》近200个缔约方第16次缔约方大会（COP16），本次会议是迄今为止规模最大的联合国土地会议，也是首次在受干旱影响严重的中东地区举行的《联合国防治荒漠化公约》缔约方会议。“该分析最终消除了长期以来围绕全球干旱趋势的不确定性。”《联合国防治荒漠化公约》执行秘书易卜拉欣·蒂奥说，“这是干燥危机第一次被科学清晰地记录下来，揭示了影响全球数十亿人的生存威胁。” “与干旱（短暂的低降雨期）不同，干燥代表着一种永久的无情转变。”他补充说，“干旱会结束。然而，当一个地区的气候变得更干燥时，恢复到先前条件的能力就丧失了。现在影响全球大片土地的干燥气候不会恢复到以前的样子，这种变化正在重新定义地球上的生命。”联合国评估土地退化和干旱科学的机构《联合国防治荒漠化公约》科学政策界面（SPI）的这份报告指出，人类造成的气候变化是这种转变的主要驱动因素。来自发电、运输、工业和土地利用的温室气体排放变化使地球变暖，其他人类活动使地球变暖并影响降雨、蒸发和植物生命，创造了加剧干燥的条件。全球干燥指数（AI）数据跟踪这些条件，揭示几十年来的广泛变化。 干旱化热点受干旱趋势影响特别严重的地区包括几乎整个欧洲（其土地的95.9%）、美国西部部分地区、巴西、亚洲部分地区（尤其是东亚）和非洲中部。●      美国西部部分地区和巴西：明显的干旱趋势，缺水和野火成为长期危害。●      地中海和南欧：这些地区曾经被认为是农业的粮仓，但随着半干旱条件的扩大，这些地区将面临严峻的未来。●      非洲中部和亚洲部分地区：生物多样性丰富的地区正在经历生态系统退化和荒漠化，危及无数物种。相比之下，地球上不到四分之一的土地（22.4%）经历了湿润条件，美国中部地区、安哥拉大西洋沿岸和东南亚部分地区的湿度有所增加。然而，总体趋势是明确的：旱地正在扩大，推动生态系统和社会遭受干燥带来的危及生命的影响。该报告指出，南苏丹和坦桑尼亚是土地向旱地转化比例最大的国家，中国是从非旱地向旱地转变总面积最大的国家。对于生活在不断扩大的旱地上的23亿人（远超世界人口的25%）来说，这种新常态需要持久的、适应性的解决方案。与干燥有关的土地退化，即沙漠化，对人类福祉和生态稳定构成严重威胁。 该报告对最坏情况的预测表明，随着地球持续变暖，到本世纪末，多达50亿人将生活在旱地，他们将面临土壤贫脊、水资源减少、曾经繁荣的生态系统减少或崩溃的问题。被迫迁徙是干燥最明显的后果之一。随着土地变得不适合居住，面临水资源短缺和农业崩溃的家庭和整个社区往往别无选择，只能放弃家园，从而导致全球范围内的社会和政治挑战。从中东到非洲和南亚，数以百万计的人已经在迁徙，这一趋势将在未来几十年加剧。干燥的破坏性影响报告称，干燥加剧的影响是层叠的、多方面的，几乎触及生活和社会的方方面面。报告警告说，到本世纪末，全球五分之一的土地可能因干燥加剧而经历突然的生态系统转变，造成巨大的变化（如森林变成草原和其他变化），并导致世界上众多动物、植物和其他生命的灭绝。• 干燥被认为是世界上农业系统退化的最大单一驱动因素，影响着地球上40%的可耕地• 1990年至2015年间，干燥加剧导致非洲国家的国内生产总值（GDP）降了12%•如果温室气体排放继续小幅上升，预计到本世纪末，地球上超过三分之二的土地（不包括格陵兰岛和南极洲）的储水量将减少• 干燥被认为是世界上土地退化的五个最重要原因之一（另外几个是土地侵蚀、盐碱化、有机碳损失和植被退化）。• 中东地区干燥加剧与该地区更频繁、规模更大的沙尘暴有关• 在气候变化的未来，预计日益严重的干燥将在规模更大、强度更大的野火中发挥作用，尤其是因为它对半干旱森林中树木死亡的影响以及由此产生的可用于燃烧的干燥生物质的增加• 干燥加剧对贫穷、缺水、土地退化和粮食生产不足的影响与全球特别是儿童和妇女的发病率和死亡率上升有关• 干燥加剧和干旱在全球范围内不断增加的人类迁移中发挥了关键作用，特别是在南欧、中东、北非和南亚的极度干燥和干燥地区。 该报告标志着一个转折点报告指出，多年来，记录干燥的增加被证明是一项挑战。其长期性以及降雨、蒸发和植物蒸腾等因素的复杂相互作用使分析变得困难。早期的研究产生了相互矛盾的结果，往往被科学谨慎所混淆。这份新报告标志着一个转折点，利用先进的气候模型和标准化的方法，对全球干旱趋势进行了明确的评估，确认了干燥不可避免的上升，同时对其潜在驱动因素和潜在的未来轨迹提供了重要资讯。建议该报告为解决干燥问题提供了一个全面的路线图，强调减缓和适应。其建议包括：●      加强干燥监测将干燥指标纳入现有的干旱监测系统。这种方法能够及早发现变化，有助于在情况恶化之前指导干预措施。诸如新的干燥可视化信息工具这样的平台为政策制定者和研究人员提供了有价值的数据，可以实现早期预警和及时干预。标准化评估可以加强全球合作，为地方适应战略提供信息。 ●      改善土地使用做法鼓励可持续土地利用系统可以减轻干燥加剧的影响，特别是在脆弱地区。创新、全面、可持续的土地管理方法是另一份新的《联合国防治荒漠化公约》科学政策界面报告《可持续土地利用系统：集体实现土地退化零增长的途径》的重点，该报告可在/resources/reports/sustainable-land-use-systems-path-forward-collectively-achieve-land-degradation获取。它考虑了一个地方的土地利用如何影响其他地方的其他人，将应对气候变化或其他冲击的韧性作为优先事项，鼓励土著和地方社区以及各级政府的参与和支持。像“绿色长城”这样的项目（一个横跨非洲的土地恢复计划）展示了开展大规模综合工作以对抗干燥和恢复生态系统，同时创造就业和稳定经济的潜力。 ●      投资于用水效率雨水收集、滴灌和废水回收等技术为干旱地区管理稀缺水资源提供了切实可行的解决方案。 ●      在脆弱社区建立韧性地方知识、能力建设、社会正义和整体思维对韧性至关重要。可持续土地利用系统鼓励决策者实施负责任的治理，保护人权（包括有保障的土地使用权），并确保问责制和透明度。能力建设方案、财政支持、教育方案、气候信息服务和社区驱动举措使受干燥影响最严重的人能够适应不断变化的条件。农民转向种植抗旱作物，牧民采用更耐旱的牲畜，都是渐进适应的例子。 ●      发展国际框架与合作《联合国防治荒漠化公约》的土地退化零增长框架提供了一个使国家政策与国际目标保持一致的模式，确保对危机采取统一的应对措施。国家适应计划必须将干燥与干旱规划结合起来，以制定应对水和土地管理挑战的有凝聚力的战略。在《联合国防治荒漠化公约》等框架的推动下，全球层面的跨部门合作对于扩大解决方案的规模至关重要。 评论“几十年来，全球科学家一直表示，我们不断增长的温室气体排放是全球变暖的原因。现在，一个联合国科学机构首次警告说，燃烧化石燃料也正在世界大部分地区造成永久性干旱，潜在的灾难性影响可能会影响到水资源的获取，这可能会将人类和自然推向灾难性的临界点。随着世界上大片土地变得越来越干旱，不作为的后果变得越来越可怕，适应不再是可有可无，而是势在必行。”●      《联合国防治荒漠化公约》首席科学家Barron Orr“如果没有协调一致的努力，数十亿人将面临饥饿、流离失所和经济衰退的未来。然而，通过采用创新的解决办法和促进全球团结，人类可以奋起迎接这一挑战。问题不在于我们是否有应对的工具，而在于我们是否有行动的意愿。”●      Nichole Barger，《联合国防治荒漠化公约》科学政策界面主席“该报告的清晰性为政策制定者敲响了警钟：解决干燥问题不仅需要科学，还需要多种视角和知识体系。通过将土著和当地知识与前沿数据相结合，我们可以制定更强大、更明智的战略，以减缓干燥的进展，减轻其影响，并在干旱的世界中繁荣发展。”●      Sergio Vicente-Serrano，该报告的共同主要作者，西班牙比利牛斯生态研究所干燥问题专家“这份报告强调了解决干燥问题的迫切需要，这是我们这个时代的一个决定性全球挑战。通过整合各种专业知识和利用突破性技术，我们不仅仅是在衡量变化，我们还在制定弹性路线图。应对干燥需要一个协作愿景，将创新、适应性解决方案和为所有人确保可持续未来的承诺结合起来。”●      Narcisa Pricope，共同主要作者，美国密西西比州立大学地球科学教授和研究副校长。“这份报告的及时性怎么强调都不为过。干燥加剧将重塑全球格局，挑战传统的生活方式，迫使社会重新思考与土地和水的关系。与气候变化和生物多样性丧失一样，解决干燥问题需要采取协调一致的国际行动，并坚定不移地致力于可持续发展。”●      Andrea Toreti，共同主要作者，欧盟委员会联合研究中心资深科学家从数字上看： 主要全球趋势/预测77.6%：与前30年相比，1990年至2020年遭受干旱气候的地球土地比例。40.6%：被列为干旱地区的全球陆地面积（不包括南极洲），过去30年为37.5%。430万平方公里：在过去三十年里变成旱地的湿润土地，面积比印度还大三分之一40%：受干燥影响的全球可耕地。干燥是农业退化的主要驱动因素。30.9%：到2020年生活在干旱地区的全球人口，1990年为22.5%23亿：2020年生活在干旱地区的人口，比1990年增加了一倍，在最坏的气候变化情景下，预计到2100年将再增加一倍以上。13.5亿：亚洲的干旱地区居民，占全球总数的一半以上。6.2亿：非洲的干旱地区居民，几乎占非洲大陆人口的一半。9.1%：地球上被划分为极度干旱的土地比例，包括阿塔卡马沙漠（智利）、撒哈拉沙漠（非洲）、纳米布沙漠（非洲）和戈壁沙漠（中国/蒙古）。23%：在最坏的排放情景下，到2100年沙漠化风险为“中等”至“非常高”的全球土地增加率+8% 风险“非常高”。+5% 风险“高”。+10% 风险“中等”。环境退化●      5：土地退化的主要驱动因素：干燥加剧、土地侵蚀、盐碱化、有机碳损失和植被退化●      20%：到2100年，由于干燥加剧而面临生态系统突变风险的全球土地●      55%：因干燥而面临栖息地丧失风险的物种（哺乳动物、爬行动物、鱼类、两栖动物和鸟类）。热点：（干燥地区）：非洲西部、澳大利亚西部、伊比利亚半岛；（湿润地区）：墨西哥南部，亚马逊雨林北部经济●      12%：1990-2015年干燥导致的非洲GDP下降●      16%/6.7%：在中等排放情景下，到2079年非洲/亚洲预计GDP损失●      2000万吨玉米、2100万吨小麦、1900万吨稻米：由于干燥加剧，到2040年全球农作物产量预计损失●      50%：在高排放情景下，到2050年肯尼亚玉米产量预计下降水 ●      90%：干旱地区蒸发回大气的降雨，剩下的10%用于植物生长●      67%：即使在中等排放情景下，到2100年全球土地储水量预计减少●      75%：自20世纪50年代以来，中东和北非地区可用水量下降●      40%：在高排放情景下，到2100年安第斯山脉预计径流减少，威胁南美洲的供水健康●      55%：在中等排放情景下，由于干燥和气候变暖的共同影响，撒哈拉以南非洲地区严重儿童发育迟缓的情况增加●      高达12.5%：2013-2018年，中国沙尘暴造成的死亡风险预计上升●      57%/38%：在最坏的气候情景下，到2100年美国西南部大气细尘和粗尘水平分别增加●      220%：在高排放情景下，到2100年，美国西南部因空气尘埃导致的过早死亡预计增加●      160%：同一地区与空气中灰尘有关的住院人数预计增加野火和森林●      74%：在高排放情景下，到2100年加州野火燃烧面积预计增加●      40：与20世纪后期相比，到2100年希腊每年火灾危险天数增加给编辑的说明：干燥与干旱高度干燥地区是指持续的长期气候条件缺乏支持大多数生命形式的可用水分，大气蒸发需求量大大超过降雨量的地区。 而干旱则是一种影响生态系统和人类的异常短期缺水期，通常由于降水少、温度高、空气湿度低和/或风异常造成。 干旱是自然气候变化的一部分，几乎在任何气候型中都可能发生，而干燥是一种稳定的条件，在强大驱动作用下，其变化在极长时间尺度上发生。  禁止报道期：格林威治时间2024年12月9日星期一上午8点媒体联系人：press@unccd.intFragkiska Megaloudi，+30 6945547877（WhatsApp）， fmegaloudi@unccd.int   Gloria Pallares，+34 606 93 1460, gpallares@unccd.int Terry Collins，+1-416-878-8712, tc@tca.tc作者和其他专家可以提前采访。  供媒体预览的完整报告《土地干旱的全球威胁：区域和全球干燥趋势与未来预测》可在此处获取：https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsAn3qO5iD0E3F3eg6OSm84ddxK-C9Tv/view?usp=sharing 

High-profile athletes Naomi Akakpo, Asmaa Niang, Jitske Visser and Franck Kessié unite in support of healthy land and drought resilience at UNCCD COP16Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 7 December 2024 – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today unveiled its first-ever Sport4Land Champions at COP16, the largest United Nations land conference in the Middle East region to date. Launched at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, the Sport4Land campaign aims to leverage the universal appeal of sports to avert the global land crisis, marked by the loss of a staggering four football fields of productive land every second. The four Sport4Land Champions will join UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions alongside climate and biodiversity, in the urgent mission to restore degraded land and build resilience to drought, and to inspire communities worldwide to take collective action.Naomi Akakpo, Olympic hurdler from Togo emphasized the fundamental connection between land health, food security and human well-being. "Land is more than a resource—it is our foundation," she said. "When we restore degraded land, we restore life and opportunity for countless communities." Inspired by her motto, "Beyond Limits," Naomi’s advocacy embodies bold, innovative actions for land restoration.Asmaa Niang, six-time African judo champion from Morocco, drew parallels between the discipline required in her sport and the strategies needed to combat desertification. "Judo has taught me resilience and strategy," she explained. "These are the same tools we need to fight desertification. It’s not just a fight for land; it’s a fight for every family and community that depends on it." Leveraging her multicultural background and nomadic spirit, Asmaa works with the Yzza Slaoui Foundation to empower rural girls and women in Morocco’s regions most affected by desertification.Paralympic wheelchair basketball gold medalist Jitske Visser from the Netherlands underscored the disproportionate impact of land degradation and drought on marginalized populations. "People with disabilities are often excluded from environmental solutions, even though we’re among the most vulnerable to its effects," she said. "This campaign is about breaking down barriers, ensuring that no one is left behind, and demonstrating that inclusion is essential for success."Footballer Franck Kessié from Côte d’Ivoire, who is currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, highlighted youth engagement in support of healthy land, noting that “Sport teaches us resilience, teamwork, and the power of unity. These are exactly the values we need to tackle the land crisis.”UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said: "Congratulations to our new champions leading the fight against desertification, land degradation, drought and food insecurity. Your determination to raise awareness of these critical issues brings hope to countless communities, including youth and those most vulnerable, including people with disabilities."At the announcement event held at COP16, the newly appointed champions shared their personal journeys and reflected on how their sporting careers connect to the global fight against land degradation. According to UNCCD data, 100 million hectares – an area equivalent to the size of Egypt–become degraded every year. The impact jeopardizes the livelihoods of more than one billion young people in developing countries who depend on the land for their survival. Among those affected, people with disabilities–16% of the world's population–face unique challenges, from limited access to resources to exclusion from decision-making and recovery efforts. About Sport4LandSport4Land is a global campaign by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to unite the sports community in the fight against land degradation, desertification and drought. With climate change accelerating droughts, heatwaves, and land degradation, the impact is being felt not only on playing fields but also on the food we eat, the livelihoods we depend on, and the environment we share.Launched at the Paris Olympics 2024, the campaign engages sportsmen and women and fans worldwide to take action for land restoration. High-profile athletes like Asmaa Niang, Naomi Akakpo, Jitske Visser, and Franck Kessié will champion this initiative to highlight the critical connection between healthy land and thriving communities.

Mayors' Forum at COP16 highlights urban-rural synergies for sustainable land managementEngineer Waleed Al-Akrich, Deputy for Projects of the Riyadh Municipality, represented Dr. Faisal Al-Hadlaziz Al-Hayyar, Mayor of Riyadh. In his opening remarks, Al-Akrich emphasized the critical role of local and regional governments in combating desertification, land degradation, and drought. Speaking under the theme "Our Land, Our Future," he highlighted the transformative potential of multilevel governance frameworks, urging collaboration across governments, NGOs, and international entities."To secure our land and ensure our future, we need transformative policies, knowledge sharing, and partnerships that transcend borders," he declared.Moderated by Carlos Correa, former Mayor of Montevideo, the forum showcased diverse perspectives from mayors and local leaders worldwide. Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya and President of UCLG, shared innovative efforts in Turkey, such as restoring the dried Meke Lake and advancing water conservation. Noraini Roslan, representing Selangor State, Malaysia, highlighted strategies balancing urbanization with sustainability, including mangrove rehabilitation and wetland protection. Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor of Chefchaouen, Morocco, illustrated the importance of urban-rural linkages in local reforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts to combat climate change.The panel emphasized the need for collaborative governance, knowledge sharing, and sustainable solutions like nature-based projects, urban nature components, and integrated land-use planning. Participants stressed the importance of local governments as first responders to challenges such as land degradation, food security, and climate change, urging institutionalized roles for local authorities within the UNCCD framework.Rethinking urban-rural connections: A path to sustainable land useBuilding on the discussions from the Mayor's Forum, the release of the Primer on Urban-Rural Linkages and Land highlights how these connections are pivotal for sustainable development. Developed by UNCCD and UN-Habitat, the Primer offers a roadmap to foster equitable and sustainable interactions between urban and rural communities.Urban-rural linkages—flows of people, goods, services and ideas—are essential to sustain both vibrant urban centers and thriving rural communities. However, they also bring unique challenges, as detailed in the Primer. These include fragmented governance, resource exploitation, peri-urban expansion, and the interconnected challenges of land degradation and climate change. The Primer outlines solutions that prioritize multilevel governance, integrated land-use planning and nature-based approaches like investing in green infrastructure to support ecosystem health.Over 4.4 billion people live in urban areas today, a number expected to rise to 68% by 2050. Despite occupying less than 3% of the Earth's surface, cities consume nearly 70% of natural resources and generate over 70% of global emissions. Meanwhile, rural areas—providing essential resources like food, water, and energy—face increasing pressures from urban demand, deforestation, and land degradation. Strengthening urban-rural linkages is critical to address these disparities and build resilience against future challenges."We convene today as stewards of our communities, championing a future that aligns the social and ecological functions of land with the new urban agenda," stated Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, who announced the Primer via video during the forum. She underscored the need for inclusive solutions to address migration pressures, food security, and water scarcity while ensuring no one is left behind.Setting the benchmark for collaborationThe discussions at COP16 and the launch of the Primer reaffirmed the commitment to stronger urban-rural linkages and sustainable land management. By aligning policies and actions across scales, the forum highlighted the critical role of local governments in shaping a resilient future.