UN Desertification COP16 in Riyadh: FAO urges global action to restore agricultural land

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded its significant participation in the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16).

Over the two-week event, FAO's central message resonated strongly: restoring agricultural land is essential for transforming agrifood systems and securing future food security and sustainability.

The conference agenda included critical discussions on land degradation, drought, and desertification, underscoring the need for collective global action to build resilience against these pressing challenges.

FAO advocated to restore degraded agricultural land to ensure food security while supporting biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and other ecosystem services that benefit human well-being and livelihoods.

Led by Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa (NENA), the FAO's delegation at UNCCD COP16 emphasized prioritizing agricultural land restoration in environmental agreements and national plans, highlighting the need for integrated solutions in policy, innovation, and technology to effectively prevent and combat land degradation.

FAO events, initiatives and publications at UNCCD COP16

FAO’s session, "Wrapping up a COP year: The role of agrifood systems across the three Rio Conventions," showcased how agrifood systems can address biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation in an integrated and coordinated manner. Discussions focused on making these systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, by restoring degraded agricultural lands to achieve co-benefits such as food security and nutrition, land degradation neutrality, carbon storage, water retention, and biodiversity.

In line with the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, FAO hosted a high-level breakfast bringing together ministers, investors, and experts to endorse the NENA Regional Investment Framework for Ecosystem Restoration and Development Solutions. This initiative, developed by FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNCCD and League of Arab States, aims to deliver transformative solutions by promoting 'champion countries' that lead with scalable restoration projects.

FAO participated in a high-level panel discussion on advancing the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), reiterating its commitment to supporting nations in implementing VACS, driving innovation, resilience, and sustainability in agrifood systems. During this event, FAO launched the Suitability Crop Platform, a unique framework designed to provide vital soil data and crop suitability insights, informing policy decisions for sustainable agricultural planning and implementation.

In collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), FAO launched a Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP) aimed at transforming global agrifood systems to be sustainable, nature-positive, resilient, inclusive, and pollution-free. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the $282 million programme was announced on Agrifood System Day at UNCCD COP16.

Recognizing the crucial role of youth in the NENA region, FAO organized the “NENA Youth Talk” at COP16, with HRH Princess Basma Bint Ali of Jordan, FAO NENA Goodwill Ambassador, Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, and Lifeng Li, FAO Director of Land and Water Division. This event encouraged youth leaders to tackle climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity.

FAO highlighted the importance of sustainable soil management during World Soil Day (WSD) celebrations at COP16. The celebration this year, under the theme, “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”, underscored the importance of accurate soil data and information in understanding soil characteristics and supporting informed decision-making on sustainable soil management for food security.

The official FAO WSD celebration in Pak Chong, Thailand, was connected via video link to a session at the COP16 Desertification Conference in Riyadh. The event also saw the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Soil Management in the NENA region.

On the sidelines of COP16, FAO launched the Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils report, presented during the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 in Bangkok. It presents an action plan for halting and reversing soil degradation and water scarcity.

In addition, FAO launched two progress reports showing trends in water-use efficiency and trends in pressures on renewable freshwater resources. These reports highlight critical trends and challenges in water sustainability and stress levels, offering key insights and recommendations for accelerating efforts towards SDG indicators 6.4.1 and 6.4.2.

FAO’s work on land and water

FAO is spearheading sustainable land and water resources management efforts by leveraging innovative programmes and projects, comprehensive studies, and strategic partnerships. These initiatives enhance scientific understanding of the complex relationships between land and water resources, providing countries with vital policy guidance for coherent management.

FAO's coordinated approach highlights the risks of resource degradation caused by poor agricultural practices while strengthening technical and institutional capacities to manage land and water resources amidst climate extremes, significantly contributing to poverty and hunger alleviation.

In the NENA region, FAO combats land degradation and promotes sustainable land management through integrated, innovative approaches. Key initiatives include agroforestry to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance climate resilience. FAO also supports sustainable grazing and conservation agriculture practices, such as zero tillage and crop rotation, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience in the region’s agrifood systems.

FAO welcomes the decision by the parties at UNCCD COP16 to avoid, reduce, and reverse land and soil degradation of agricultural lands. FAO will assist in implementing these decisions, contributing to food security and nutrition for all while supporting the objectives of all three Rio conventions.