Saudi Hosts UN COP16 on Desertification, Drought

The Gulf nation, the world's largest oil exporter, has faced criticism for its perceived reluctance to back calls for phasing out fossil fuels at last week’s COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan. However, its unique vulnerability to desertification gives Saudi Arabia a significant stake in the discussions.

Deputy Environment Minister Osama Faqeeha emphasized the kingdom’s direct experience with the issue. “We are a desert country exposed to the harshest forms of land degradation. This is our reality, and we’ve been dealing with it for centuries,” he told AFP.

The Threat of Land Degradation
Land degradation disrupts ecosystems, reduces agricultural productivity, and exacerbates food insecurity and migration. Desertification, its most severe form, occurs when arid or semi-arid land becomes unproductive due to factors like deforestation and unsustainable land use. Globally, 1.5 billion hectares must be restored by 2030 to address the growing crisis, according to the UNCCD.

At the last UNCCD meeting in Ivory Coast in 2022, countries committed to restoring one billion hectares by the decade's end. This target has since been revised upward due to worsening conditions.

Saudi Arabia has pledged to restore 40 million hectares of degraded land, though timelines remain unspecified. Faqeeha noted that 240,000 hectares have been recovered to date, using strategies such as cracking down on illegal logging and expanding the number of national parks from 19 in 2016 to over 500 today. Other measures include planting trees, managing grazing, and restoring wetlands.

Global Implications and Saudi Arabia’s Role
Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, highlighted the urgency of addressing land degradation. "We have already lost 40% of our land and soils. Global security is at stake," he said, pointing to regions like Africa and the Middle East as being particularly vulnerable.

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat desertification could bolster its environmental credentials despite its significant oil production. "On desertification, Saudi Arabia is directly affected, which gives it some legitimacy in leading this conversation," said Patrick Galey of Global Witness.

High-Level Attendance and Civil Society Participation
Thousands of delegates, including nearly 100 government ministers, are expected at the Riyadh conference. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to attend the One Water Summit, held on the sidelines of COP16.

As a UN-organized event, civil society groups and campaigners are invited to participate. While Saudi Arabia's tight restrictions on protests and freedom of expression remain a concern, UNCCD's Thiaw assured that all voices would be heard under established rules of engagement.

Looking Ahead
Saudi Arabia’s exposure to desertification positions it uniquely to host COP16. Beyond combating its own land degradation, the kingdom aims to drive global commitments toward restoring degraded land and preparing for more frequent and severe droughts.

“This conference should bring greater awareness to the silent but pressing threat of land degradation," said Faqeeha. "If we allow this to continue, the losses will be enormous, not just for us but for the entire planet."