COP16 media advisory: 2 December 2024

UNCCD COP16 Opens in Riyadh: 
A Turning Point for Global Land Restoration and Drought Resilience

Media representatives are invited  to the opening of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place from 2–13 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 will convene over 10,000 global leaders, experts, and advocates to tackle the pressing challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought.

As the first-ever COP hosted in the Middle East and North Africa region, COP16 highlights the urgency of collective action and investment in sustainable land restoration and drought resilience. This landmark event also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, reinforcing its global commitment to combating desertification and ensuring a sustainable future.

Key Events

• Opening Ceremony and COP16 Opening

When: Monday, 2 December 2024, 09:30–13:00
Where: Plenary Hall

The opening ceremony will set the stage for this pivotal conference, highlighting its key objectives and the urgency of global cooperation to address land-related challenges.

Accredited photographers are required to be at the Press Center by 8:45 a.m. to be escorted to the Plenary Hall. All other media can follow the event live on: https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule

• Opening Press Conference

When: Monday, 2 December 2024, 13:15–14:30
Where: Press Conference Room MET-17

Speakers:

• Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary
• Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
• Incoming UNCCD COP 16 Presidency

Key speakers will discuss COP16’s objectives, expected milestones, and insights from the Special Report on Land: Planetary Boundaries: Confronting the Global Crisis of Land Degradation, launched on 1 December 2024. The report, led by Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), presents actionable recommendations for sustainable land use and food systems to protect human and environmental well-being.

To follow live: https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule

Key Reports

• Planetary Boundaries: Confronting the Global Crisis of Land Degradation

When: Monday, 2 December 2024, 13:15–14:30
Where: MET-17

This flagship report highlights transformative measures to ensure sustainable land use and food systems, serving as a critical roadmap to combat desertification and restore degraded lands worldwide.

• World Drought Atlas Launch

When: Monday, 2 December 2024, 17:30–18:00
Where: MET-33

The World Drought Atlas  highlights escalating drought risks and their ripple effects on ecosystems, food security, and water resources, underscoring the need for resilience strategies.

Other Press Events

• European Union Press Conference: Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy

When: Monday, 2 December 2024, 17:00-17:30
Where: MET-17

Commissioner Roswall delivers a statement outlining EU priorities for COP16.

Media Accreditation

All 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 [at] unccd.int (press[at]unccd[dot]int)

Key Resources 

• Press releases and other media materials from COP16 updated daily: XXX
• UNCCD COP16 Trello Board, including branding guidelines and key messages
• UNCCD COP16 website
• Host country website 
• COP16 conference app available in the Apple app store and Google Play
• UN WebTV – live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages.
• Press and media kit
• Social media kit
• Photo assets – Flickr and Earth Negotiation Bulletin 

Future Key COP16 Events for Media 

• 3 December: Launch of the Investing in Land’s Future: Financial needs assessment for UNCCD Report
• 3 December: Launch of the Economics of Drought Resilience Report
• 3 December: Ministerial dialogues on Finance and Migration
• 4 December New Nature of Business Book Launch
• 4 December Fashion for Land
• 6 December: Launch of the Primer on Urban-Rural Linkages and Land
• 9 December: Launch of the Global Aridity Trends Report