Saudi Arabia Establishes Joint Operation Room for UN Convention to Combat Desertification
RIYADH: In preparation for the upcoming UN Convention to Combat Desertification in December, Saudi Arabia has established a “joint operation room” to streamline efforts among teams.
Coordinating Efforts at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification
Located at the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the operation room will coordinate team activities and monitor progress before, during, and after the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP16, which will take place in Riyadh from Dec. 2 to 13.
Inauguration of the Control Center
Osama Faqiha, undersecretary for environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, inaugurated the control center at the headquarters of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Enhancing Coordination and Communication
The facility aims to enhance coordination and communication among teams, ensuring smooth operations and clear updates on tasks and achievements.
Global Efforts to Combat Land Degradation
The operation room aligns with COP16’s goal of mobilizing global stakeholders to combat land degradation and promote sustainable land management practices.
Addressing the Issue of Land Degradation
The conference, the largest multilateral event hosted by Saudi Arabia with 196 participating countries, will address the significant issue of land degradation.
Impacts of Land Degradation
According to UNCCD data, up to 40 percent of the world’s land is degraded, impacting half of humanity and causing severe climate, biodiversity, and livelihood issues.
Global Challenges and Solutions
Restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 will be crucial to achieving a land-degradation-neutral world. Droughts have become more frequent and severe globally, increasing by 29 percent since 2000 due to climate change and land management practices.
Upcoming Events at COP16
The two-week event will feature a high-level segment and associated events such as the Gender Caucus and the Business for Land Forum, highlighting ongoing efforts in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East toward sustainable land stewardship.
UNCCD as a Key Platform for Sustainable Solutions
UNCCD serves as a key platform where governments, businesses, and civil society discuss land-related challenges and work towards sustainable solutions, playing a vital role in addressing global environmental issues.