From December 2–13, 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This milestone event, marking the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, is set to be the largest UN land conference to date and the first held in the Middle East and North Africa region. Convened under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 brings together 197 Parties, including 196 countries and the European Union, to tackle the urgent challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). 

For the Arab region, one of the world’s most arid and fastest-warming areas, this conference is not just a global gathering—it is a lifeline. With 82% of the region’s land affected by degradation, 20% at risk of desertification, and water withdrawal rates exceeding renewable resources by a factor of eight, the stakes are higher here than anywhere else. As water scarcity, food insecurity, and extreme weather patterns intensify, COP16 provides a platform to elevate the region’s unique challenges and drive tailored solutions to protect its people and ecosystems. 

UNDP, as a leading global development partner, is playing a pivotal role before, during, and after COP16. In collaboration with the UNCCD and key stakeholders, UNDP is co-organizing two key thematic days—Land Day on December 4 and Governance Day on December 6—ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities and innovative regional solutions take center stage. UNDP’s commitment to the Rio Conventions and its focus on integrated approaches to sustainable development underpin its strategy to support countries in achieving land restoration goals while advancing biodiversity and climate targets. Through pavilions in the Blue and Green Zones, UNDP will showcase initiatives that demonstrate how local action can create global impact. 

The UNDP Arab States Regional Hub will bring a distinct and essential perspective to COP16, highlighting how DLDD intersects with the region’s socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities. With the region hosting 14 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries and 35.7 million hectares of agricultural land facing desertification, the consequences of inaction are catastrophic. Annual losses from sand and dust storms already total $13 billion, while land degradation costs the region $9 billion annually, equivalent to as much as 7.4% of GDP in some countries. These challenges directly threaten livelihoods, drive displacement, and exacerbate inequalities, particularly for women and youth, who are disproportionately affected by resource scarcity and environmental shocks. 

Amid these challenges, the region also offers inspiring examples of resilience and innovation. Lebanon’s efforts to achieve land degradation neutrality through sustainable land-use practices in mountainous areas showcase how local solutions can be scaled across fragile ecosystems. Similarly, initiatives like the Riyadh Global Partnership for Drought Resilience, and youth empowerment projects such as Shababeek demonstrate the power of inclusive, locally led approaches to climate action.  

The Regional Hub’s advocacy at COP16 will emphasize the need for expanded investments in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water management, and integrated early warning systems to mitigate the impacts of drought and desertification. 

As part of the global UNDP effort, the Regional Hub is uniquely positioned to connect regional realities with global ambitions. Through decades of experience working with Arab States, UNDP understands that addressing these challenges is not just an environmental imperative—it is a socio-economic one. Restoring degraded land creates jobs, bolsters food and water security, and curbs forced migration. Building resilience to drought fosters stability, strengthens governance, and reduces the risk of conflict. These outcomes align with the Sustainable Development Goals, offering a pathway to long-term prosperity for the Arab region and beyond. 

COP16 is not only a pivotal moment for raising global ambition but also an opportunity for the Arab States to lead the way in crafting bold, actionable solutions. As the Regional Hub showcases the region’s challenges and successes, it aims to inspire partnerships, unlock financing, and advance sustainable land and water management systems. Through its engagement, UNDP Arab States Regional Hub will ensure that the region’s voice resonates throughout COP16, reinforcing the collective vision of “Our Land. Our Future.”