The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was historic because it was the first time it was held in Riyadh.The event was themed “Our Land, Our Future,” and brought into focus the growing problems of land degradation, desertification, and drought. With an ambitious agenda and critical discussions, COP16 elicited financial commitments of $12 billion to address these problems.
A $12 Billion Step Forward
In a historic declaration, the Arab Coordination Group committed to invest $10 billion by 2030 in land restoration and drought resilience projects. The OPEC Fund for International Development and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) committed $1 billion each. The host nation, Saudi Arabia, added $150 million to the effort.
We look to invest in these lands so that through land restoration, combating desertification, and addressing drought, we aim to enhance resilience in the world’s most vulnerable communities.” — Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the IsDB and head of the Arab Coordination Group
Bridge the Funding Gap with Urgency
Despite the grand commitments, there is still a huge funding gap. UNCCD reports indicate that an annual investment of $355 billion will be needed from 2025 to 2030 to effectively address land degradation and desertification.Current commitments short of this by $278 billion. Needed increased financial participation, in particular the private sector which now sources only 6% of the necessary funding.
It reminds us that there is a very wide gap between the progress already made and the amount yet to be achieved. And indeed, the world needs collective action to pool resources for no one to be left behind in this fight against desertification,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of UNCCD.
Economic Potential of Land Restoration
In addition to environmental and social problems, land restoration holds significant economic potential. According to research, restoring over 1 billion hectares of degraded land would bring up to $1.8 trillion in annual economic benefits in terms of increased agricultural productivity, enhanced biodiversity, and better ecosystem services like water filtration and carbon sequestration.
Investing in land restoration is not only a moral imperative but also an economic opportunity,” Ibrahim Thiaw noted. “It is a pathway to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.”
A Focus on Vulnerable Communities
Land degradation and desertification are having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This affects food security, water availability, and forced migration and puts a strain on global stability.
COP16 focused on “Our Land, Our Future,” advocating for supporting communities at the epicenter of these crises to restore livelihoods, boost resilience, and support development in a sustainable manner.
This is Saudi Arabia’s First Leadership Role
Saudi Arabia has pledged $150 million to combat desertification and climate change. The kingdom has been aggressively involved in sustainability initiatives, including ambitious “Saudi Green Initiative,” an initiative to plant 10 billion trees and restore hundreds of thousands of degraded areas.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia said, “Hosting COP16 reflects our commitment to driving global efforts to combat desertification. We are committed to leading by example in promoting sustainable practices and safeguarding our planet for future generations.”
Global Collaboration for a Shared Goal
COP16 hosted in Riyadh demonstrates the power of global cooperation. There were over 190 country delegations involved in discussions to share knowledge and best practices on combating land degradation. Public and private stakeholders underlined the need for innovative financing mechanisms, policy frameworks, and technology-driven solutions to close the funding gap and maximize the impact of restoration efforts.
Missing Piece: Private Sector Engagement
Private sector participation is one of the underutilized resources in dealing with land degradation. Only 6% of the needed funding comes from private sources, and COP16 emphasized the need for businesses to be more actively involved in financing and implementing restoration projects.
“Engaging the private sector is crucial for achieving our restoration goals,” said a COP16 panelist. “Public-private partnerships can unlock new resources and foster innovation, enabling scalable solutions to global challenges.”
The Road Ahead
While COP16’s $12 billion in pledges is a step forward, it will take more than that to fill the gap. That will require governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to work toward the goal of integrating land restoration into national development agendas and ensuring that investments deliver measurable outcomes.
COP16 has come to a close, and the world has challenges and opportunities. The pledges made in Riyadh remind us of the urgent need to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and build a sustainable future for all.
Conclusion
COP16 sets a landmark era for a world geared toward collaboration and land restoration commitment. $12 billion pledges and a sense of urgency set the conference for creating momentum in desertification and drought battles. Sustainable practices will thrive the globe, and by driving innovations, degraded lands could bloom into thriving ecosystems with prosperity and resilience for future generations.