The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) and UNCCD have established a partnership to launch the "Road to Riyadh and the youth: Elevating land and drought issues on the global agenda" initiative to strengthen youth engagement in tackling critical environmental challenges ahead of UNCCD COP16.Accounting for more than 40 per cent of the global population, the 1.7 billion young people under the age of 25 represent a powerful force for change. As the global environmental crises grow more urgent, youth leadership in driving sustainable solutions is not just evident – it is crucial for securing the future of our planet. Young people are emerging as key advocates in global efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices. Through their passion, innovation and drive, youth can play a vital role in shaping the sustainable development agenda and collaborating with key stakeholders, including governments, to address issues, such as land degradation and drought. In alignment with the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy (YES), young leaders will convene in Riyadh from 5 to 7 December 2024 for a Youth Forum, held in parallel with COP16. During this gathering, participants will present recommendations on how young people can play a meaningful role in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality. The conference will also explore opportunities for the creation of green and fulfilling land-based employment, and will identify the challenges that young people are facing due to desertification, land degradation and drought. As the first-ever UNCCD Conference of the Parties is set to take place in the Middle East and North Africa region this December, the project will work to engage youth in the broader discussions and processes of the Convention. It will also contribute to the continued implementation of the YES strategy to ensure robust youth participation in global environmental efforts. The project aims to raise awareness of the importance of combating desertification, land degradation and drought, while upscaling youth involvement in UNCCD implementation. A Youth Declaration, embodying their perspectives and solutions, will be presented at COP16 during a high-level event organized on Peoples’ Day, further solidifying youth engagement in global environmental governance. The initiative also supports ongoing efforts to foster active youth participation in achieving broader national and international sustainability goals, such as the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This joint initiative of AGFUND and UNCCD underscores a shared vision: positioning young people at the forefront of environmental action. By empowering them as pivotal actors in the fight against desertification, the partnership aims to harness their potential to shape a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come. About AGFUND The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) is a regional entity founded in 1980 through the initiative of the late His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, with the support of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The primary objective of AGFUND is to tackle the fundamental issues related to human development, focusing on all societal segments without discrimination. AGFUND has founded five distinct organizations dedicated to development, which include the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, the Arab Women Center for Training and Research, Financial Inclusion Banks, the Arab Open University, and the Arab Network for NGOs. AGFUND collaborates with over 450 international, regional, and governmental organizations to facilitate and support various development projects. About UNCCD The 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. For more information, please contact: UNCCD: press [at] unccd.int (press[at]unccd[dot]int) | AGFUND: prmedia [at] agfund.org (prmedia[at]agfund[dot]org )
The UNCCD CSO panel is organizing a consultation with all the accredited organizations to the UNCCD to prepare for the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. This is the final webinar in a series organized by the civil society organizations to coordinate their work around COP16. Register here: https://unccd-int.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_10tZo2vyRhKgWA43VVV_xQ#/r…
Decision-makers and experts will review the progress made in the past decade and outline a path to translate drought policies into action around the world. The outcomes of the Conference will inform the negotiations at UNCCD COP16. Monday 30 September12:55 – 13:55 CETUNCCD’s Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) on Drought – Results and perspectives from five continents | UNCCD IWG on DroughtGovernance in Action: Strategies for Improved Drought Risk Management | Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, UNCCD, GWP, Bahir Dar University Ethiopia, IUCNTowards actionable information to foster drought resilience – Lessons from across scales14:00 – 15:30 CETPlenary session on drought risk covernance: The regional, national and local challengesTuesday 1 October08:30 – 10:00 CETPlenary session on the need to turn drought policies into action12:25 – 13:25 CETUNCCD and IDMP communities of learning and practice: Collaborative approaches to drought management and resilience | UNCCD, GWP, WMO15:30 – 17:00 CETPlenary session on drought risk finance17:15 – 18:15 CETThe International Drought Resilience Observatory unveiled | IDRA, UNCCD, UNU-INWEH, World Bank Group, Yale CEAGlobal Report on the Economics of Drought – Benefits of proactive investments to improve drought readiness | GIZ, UNU-INWEHWednesday 2 October12:25– 13:25 CETThe Global Drought Atlas – A perspective on drought risks and resilience | UNCCD, JRC, CIMA, IVM-VU, UNU15:00– 18:00 CETHigh-level closing session: Turning drought resilience challenges into actionAccess the full programme here.Register for the online conference as a participant or as a journalist.
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For 30 years, the UNCCD has raised awareness and driven action to restore degraded land, enhance drought resilience, and promote sustainable development by producing more without harming soil, water, forests, or increasing carbon emissions.
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Launched on the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women, the report calls for better recognizing and supporting women-led efforts to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating effects of drought. It also underscores that women's land rights are…