UNITED NATIONS
JOURNAL
Sixteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16)
2-13 December 2024
UNCCD
Programme of Meetings and Agenda
Conference of the Parties
COP16 Bureau Meeting
Committee of the Whole
COW 3rd meeting
Policy frameworks and thematic issues (item 4)
- Sand and dust storms (ICCD/COP(16)/16, ICCD/COP(16)/22)
- Gender (ICCD/COP(16)/17, ICCD/COP(16)/22)
- New emerging issues: grassland and rangeland (ICCD/COP(16)/21-ICCD/COP(16)/CST/9)
Introduction and discussion
Procedural matters (item 7)
(b) Participation and involvement of the private sector in meetings and processes of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the business engagement strategy
Introduction and discussion
Committee on Science and Technology
CST 4th meeting
Interfacing science and policy, and sharing knowledge (continued) (item 4)
(a) Interfacing science and policy, knowledge sharing and technology transfer
(ICCD/COP(16)/CST/5, ICCD/COP(16)/CST/10)
(b) Work programme of the Science–Policy Interface beyond 2024
(ICCD/COP(16)/CST/7, ICCD/COP(16)/CST/10)
Introduction and discussion
Contact groups
CoW contact group on other matters
COW contact group on budget
CST Contact Group
Special events
Special segment: High-level interactive dialogue on the role of subnational governments to accelerate sustainable land management
Action agenda
Mayor's Forum: Showcasing the role of local and regional governments in combating land degradation, water scarcity, and desertification
The Mayor’s Forum will consist of a roundtable dialogue on the 5 December to discuss how local governments can take real action on pressing issues such as land degradation, desertification, and climate resilience; as well as a planery discussion on 6 December to share practical experiences of local and regional governments.
Women’s Land Rights for Effective Restoration Efforts: Understanding Synergies, Taking Action
This session will present attendees with a clear overview of the strong standards set by and for UNCCD Parties; examples of effective approaches to strengthen land rights for women in all their diversity; and recommendations for stronger, more equitable and participatory, and more coordinated action and stronger resourcing to achieve gender justice related to land and natural resource rights, and within land and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
Governance in Drylands: A Vision for a Just Land Transition
A just transition aims to green the economy in a way that is fair and inclusive, creates decent work opportunities, protects and respects human rights and leaves no one behind. The session aims to bring together local, national, and international stakeholders to discuss the potential merits and challenges of a just transition in the land management sector.
Rights and responsibilities: how to achieve equitable, inclusive and sustainable water governance
The session will highlight water governance models successfully applied in diverse contexts at national and local scale and will focus on transferable and high impact lessons learned.
Tenure security as an enabler of land restoration and sustainable agrifood systems: the role of land policy
This event will focus more specifically on the policy frameworks linked to the efforts of restoring agricultural lands as a fundamental instrument to build sustainable agrifood systems and achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN). It will highlight ways to advance positively on the inter-relation between tenure and LDN through land policy.
Urban-Rural Linkages and Land: Tools and governance frameworks for action
The goal of this session will provide an overview of URL challenges and solutions, highlighting relevant governance frameworks and spatial planning and finance tools that can help strengthen the bonds between rural producers.
Data and Knowledge Management: Towards Integrating land tenure into UNCCD monitoring
This proposed event seeks to explore synergies between existing land governance monitoring tools, engage with partners and institutions to integrate potential indicators in future UNCCD reporting processes, developing a cross-cutting data and knowledge management platform.
How Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP) contributes to LDN, food and tenure security and multiple environmental goals
The session builds on previous interventions and several country examples demonstrating how ILUP simultaneously contributes to avoiding further loss of productive agricultural lands and healthy ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, adapting to climate change and reducing the risks of disasters.
Shared Lands, Shared Futures: Inclusive Governance for Rangelands and Pastoralists
To contribute to the recognition of shared lands, rights, knowledge and institutions in a changing world, the event will analyse the reality and potential of inclusive governance for rangelands and pastoralists, highlighting the importance of considering mobility as a substantial element of pastoralism and the critical role mobility plays in the adoption of equitable and adaptive governance systems.
Other meetings
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Negotiation Team
EU Coordination Meeting
Indigenous Peoples Caucus
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)
CSO Consultations
JUSCANZ
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I)
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Latin America and the Caribbean (Annex III)
Preparations for the Mayors Forum
Youth Conference
Riyadh Action Agenda: Agri-Food Systems Dialogue
Group of Arab States coordination meeting
Youth Conference
Youth Conference Consultations
Side events
136 - FAO : Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration contributions to combat desertification under the three Rio Conventions and the works of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to enhance resilience and ensure biodiversity conservation
153 - Environmental Protection and Development Association (EPDA) Restoration and Long-Term Monitoring of the Bonadikombo Community Water Catchment: Lessons from a Successful Land Restoration Project in Cameroon
154 - Change Human’s Life (CHL)Restoring the Earth through Action
198 - National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) - KSA Principles and Good Practices in Sustainable Rangeland Management for Land Restoration
312 - International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) Cultivating Change for Land Degradation Neutrality through Evidence-based Policy and Practice
327 - The Nature Conservancy Land tenure rights, governance, degradation & restoration - Kenya perspective
328 - The Nature Conservancy Valuing Grasslands: Critical Ecosystems for Nature, Climate and People
337 - Exploring Preferred Governance Functionality for Addressing Desertification and Developing Strategies that Effectively Integrate Local, Regional, and International Efforts to Mitigate the Impact of Desertification
337 - Exploring Preferred Governance Functionality for Addressing Desertification and Developing Strategies that Effectively Integrate Local, Regional, and International Efforts to Mitigate the Impact of Desertification
Global Sustainable Futures Network CIC
Global Sustainable Futures Network CIC Exploring Preferred Governance Functionality for Addressing Desertification and Developing Strategies that Effectively Integrate Local, Regional, and International Efforts to Mitigate the Impact of Desertification
20 - Danaya What role can local authorities and subnational governments play in sustainable land management and drought resilience?
220 - Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Investing in soil health in Africa: A pathway to multiple SDGs
243 - Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) The Ripple Effect: Harnessing Systems for Drought-Proofing the Future
281 - UNDP HQ Solar Power Desalination for Irrigation: AWARe Initiative Explores Potential in North Africa Region for Drought Resilience
285 - FAO Integrated Land Use Planning, Implementation and Monitoring for LDN
288 - OSS Promoting the Resilience of Sahelian Ecosystems: Towards Sustainable Land Management through Innovative and Integrated Approaches
47 - Southern African Development Community (SADC) Actions to foster drought resilience in the context of Land Degradation Neutrality in the SADC region
82 - UNEP Rethinking Urban Landscapes: Equity, Restoration, and Resilience in Arid Regions
127 - Consórcio Nordeste/Northeast Consortium PISF: the boldest project to fight against the droughts in Brazil
132 - AEON Collective Opportunities for promoting synergies between Climate Change Adaptation and Land Degradation Neutrality within the National Adaptation Plan process - Insights from Saudi Arabia
147 - Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Strengthening National LDN Targets and Commitments with Geospatial Data
168 - TMG Research Four years of learning from monitoring the implementation of the UNCCD land tenure decision in six countries
208 - General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Turkey LDN TSP 2.0 national processes: progress to date and lessons learned
374 - NCVC – National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification of Saudi Arabia The role of dryland forests to achieve land degradation neutrality
39 - WOCAT, Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern The Land Story. Country experiences with reporting on land degradation and drought
64 - SankalpTaru Foundation Land Restoration and Community-Led Sustainability
11 - ENDA Energie Stock-taking of LDN targets in Sub-Saharan Africa: understanding and avoiding land degradation
165 - Tree Aid Unlocking the voluntary carbon market for Sahelian communities
200 - FAO National Sand Encroachment Monitoring Network for KSA: Collaboration of FAO-KSA and US National Wind Erosion Research Network in the design, testing, and establishment of a national sand encroachment monitoring network for KSA.
248 - RECONCILE Data dilemmas: Bridging knowledge gaps for inclusive rangeland governance
271 - Sierra Leone Land Alliance Showing land degradation hotspots in Sierra Leone
51 - Brazilian National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples Land restoration/regeneration and drought resilience: lessons from indigenous peoples and traditional peoples and communities
112 - International Organization for Migration (IOM) The roles of regional frameworks and cooperation to support the Convention to address migration in the context of desertification/land degradation and drought
2 - PISLM The role of data in sustainable land and soil management in Caribbean SIDS
246 - TMG Research Land rights as a foundation: strengthening climate action and justice through the Rio Conventions' land agenda
254 - UNEP “MEAs Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance: Insights from the Bern III Conference” - Governance Day
272 - Global Water Partnership Letting experience speak: Drought resilience lessons from experience through South-North learning
309 - Landesa Implementing women’s land tenure rights to achieve land degradation neutrality: promising initiatives
Summary of meetings
Committee on Science and Technology
Thursday, 5 December 2024
3rd Meeting
Coordination activities of the Science-Policy Interface with other intergovernmental scientific panels and bodies [item 2(c)]
The CST Chair called to order the 3rd CST meeting and invited the Committee to begin consideration of the agenda sub-item.
The UNCCD secretariat introduced the agenda sub-item and the document. An interactive dialogue was moderated by a Co-Chair of the Science-Policy Interface (SPI). The SPI Co-Leads delivered their presentations.
Comments were made by representatives of Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), the European Union, Senegal, Switzerland and Lesotho.
A statement was made by the representative of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN).
The SPI Co-Leads responded to questions from the floor.
Innovation and Technology in Ecologically Sustainable Agrifood Systems [item 5]
The Committee began consideration of the agenda item.
The UNCCD secretariat introduced the agenda item and the document.
A statement was made by the representative of the United States of America.
Comments were made by representatives of Kazakhstan, Grenada, Honduras, Cambodia and Morocco.
A statement was made by the representative of Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation (DYDF).
Statements were also made by the representatives of the CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The UNCCD secretariat responded to questions from the floor.
Review of the work conducted by the Science-Policy Interface [item 3]
The Committee began consideration of the agenda item.
The UNCCD secretariat introduced the agenda item and the document.
The UNCCD secretariat delivered a presentation.
Comments were made by representatives of the European Union, Cote d’Ivoire, the Russian Federation, Japan, Australia, Algeria, Malawi, the United States of America and Namibia.
A statement was made by the representative of Dhrubotara Youth Development Foundation.
The UNCCD secretariat responded to questions from the floor.
Organization of Work
The Chair made a statement.
The meeting was adjourned.
Open Dialogue Session
Thursday, 5 December 2024
COP 6th Meeting
Inclusion of activities of non-governmental organizations within the official programme of work of the Conference of the Parties: open dialogue session
First open dialogue session on “Civil society contributions on inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems”
The Executive Secretary of the UNCCD made a statement.
The dialogue was moderated by Mr. Mauro Centritto, who made a statement.
The representative of civil society made a statement.
A keynote statement was made by Mr. Siddhesh Sakore, UNCCD 2024 Land Hero.
Presentations were made by the following panelists: Ms. Erimelinda Temba (Islands of Peace of Tanzania), Ms. Priyanka Patil (Brahma Kumaris of India), Ms. Glenda Mangia (Fundación Cauce of Argentina), Mr. Anand Ethirajalu (Conscious Planet of India), Ms. Sopiko Babalashvil (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network of Georgia) and Ms. Aii Shatou Ali (Mbororo Pastoralists of Cameroon).
Statements were made by the representatives of Armenia, the United States of America and the European Union, as well as by the representative of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries.
A statement by a representative of civil society was made by the United Confederation of Taino People.
Statements were made by the representatives of Senegal, Australia, South Africa, Morocco, Chile, China, the State of Palestine, Cabo Verde, Belarus and Iraq, as well as by the representative of UN-Women.
A statement was made by a representative of civil society.
The panelists responded to comments made and questions posed from the floor.
A representative of the UNCCD secretariat made a statement.
Announcements
Provisional list of registered participants
The provisional list of registered participants attending the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16), the twenty-second session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC22), and the sixteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST16) to the UNCCD can be viewed here.
The list has been generated based on the information entered directly into the Indico registration system by each participant and has been prepared based on the information received by the secretariat as of Thursday, 5 December 2024.
Each delegation is requested to send corrections via accrediation [at] unccd.int (e-mail) by Wednesday, 11 December 2024, at the latest.
The official document containing the final list of participants will be issued after the closure of the sessions. It will consider any additional information received by the secretariat prior to its issuance.
Registration for Delegates
Registration for delegations of country Parties, United Nations organisations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, side event participants, media and other participants will take place as follows:
Any changes to the opening hours of the registration desk will be communicated in the Official Journal of the session.
Identity badges will be issued at the time of registration, and participants are requested to wear them at all times, as they will not be allowed access to the session venue without presenting them.
Credentials
Delegations are advised to contact Ms. Aphrodite Smagadi (00966 568701092) and Mr. Stadler Trengove (00966 568682169), AREA B, Office no 11 – Legal Office as soon as possible.
Electronic Information Service
Delegations are advised that wireless internet access is available throughout the venue. The network name is COP16 Public, and no password is required.
A Computer Center is located in Area-C, providing 100 workstations and printing facilities. An ICT Helpdesk counter is also available in the same area to assist with technical support.
A link to the stream of the meetings of the COP 16 session can be found on the UN Web TV website, the COP 16 page of the UNCCD website.
Funding for eligible participants
The Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for eligible participants will be distributed from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please ensure you collect your allowance during these hours at the DSA room, which is located in Area C.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found service is located near the Registration area, offering convenient access near the Main Entrance.
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)
Media Briefing
Please note that there will be no press briefing on 6th December. However, you are cordially invited to join the People’s Day Press Briefing on 7th December, which will cover Indigenous People and gender issues related to land.
Media Events
Upcoming Key COP16 Media Events
- 6 December: Launch of the Primer on Urban-Rural Linkages and Land
- 9 December: Launch of the Global Aridity Trends Report
Medical Support and Emergency Response
Medical services will be provided throughout the event by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring that assistance is readily available. The Medical Care Center is located near the Registration area, close to the Main Entrance.
Emergency Response:
- Immediate Action: Medical vehicles will be stationed on-site to ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies.
- Coordination with Local Services: Collaboration with local emergency teams will be ensured to manage serious medical situations effectively.
- Health and Safety Standards: All procedures will adhere to the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.
- Ambulance Placement: Ambulances will be strategically located at key areas, including the Blue Zone and VIP sections, to ensure quick access to medical care.
You can find a list of Emergency Contact Numbers here.
The KSA Emergency number is 112 (reachable without a SIM card).
Meeting Rooms for Regional and Interest Groups
Requests for inclusion in the schedule of meetings of regional and interest groups should be communicated to:
Kayhan UI (kul [at] unccd.int (kul[at]unccd[dot]int) ; phone: 00966-544050235) or Mahamadou Tari Bako (mbako [at] unccd.int (mbako[at]unccd[dot]int) ; phone: 00966-568723965).
Shuttle Service and Interactive Map
To facilitate seamless transportation during COP 16, a dedicated shuttle service has been arranged between the conference venue and official hotels.
Use our Interactive Map to explore routes and locations, including shuttle pickup and drop-off points, along with timetables for transportation between hotels, the venue, and the airport. This resource is also available in the app under COP 16 Information.
We encourage participants to use the shuttle service to minimize environmental impact and ease transportation logistics. Thank you for contributing to a sustainable COP 16!
The UNCCD Conference App
The UNCCD Conference App is an easy tool for participants of official UNCCD events to have access to the latest conference schedules, all official documents and other relevant information related to the UNCCD process and conference logistics, including an interactive map for shuttle services. It also provides information on the latest up-to-date schedule of events in the Blue Zone.
The UNCCD Conference App is relevant for all delegates and other participants of all sessions of the UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP), the Committee of Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC).
