Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership

The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) is a flagship initiative of the UNCCD and its Global Mechanism (GM), launched at COP16 under the leadership of the Saudi Presidency. 

Designed to shift global drought response from crisis management to long-term resilience, the RGDRP connects 74 vulnerable countries to technical, financial and knowledge resources. 

In June 2025, the RGDRP Inaugural Conference, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and UNCCD, marked a critical step in shaping the Partnership. Countries selected UNCCD to host the RGDRP Secretariat in Bonn and endorsed the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) as Fund Trustee to ensure transparent financial management. A twelve-member Steering Committee, representing donor and beneficiary countries, UN agencies, technical organizations, civil society and the private sector, was established to guide the Partnership’s governance and operations.

Now in its preparatory phase, RGDRP is structured around three pillars: 

• Readiness Facility to build national capacities
• Investment Facility to finance drought resilience projects
• Knowledge Platform to share innovations and best practices

Ushering in a new era in global drought action under the leadership of UNCCD and its Global Mechanism, and the strategic support of Saudi Arabia, the RGDRP is emerging as a new global partnership to strengthen drought preparedness, protect vulnerable populations and help countries build a more resilient future.