Three Billion People Affected Globally by Land Degradation, Says Saudi Minister at UN Conference.

Riyadh: Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadley, the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, addressed the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, highlighting that three billion people globally are impacted by land degradation. He emphasized that this issue will exacerbate migration, stability, and insecurity among numerous communities. According to Bahrain News Agency, the UN desertification convention, established 30 years ago, continues to stress the importance of restoring land affected by drought and desertification. Ibrahim Thiaw, the organization's Executive Secretary, underscored that land restoration is crucial for humanity's welfare. He mentioned that current land management practices will significantly influence the future of life on Earth. Thiaw shared his personal encounters with individuals affected by land loss, noting that the repercussions of land degradation permeate all aspects of life. He pointed out that communities experience the impact through increased grocery prices, unexpected energy costs, and heightened community strain. Land and soil degradation deprive impoverished families of nutritious food and children of a secure future. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged COP16 delegates to contribute to reversing this trend by focusing on international cooperation, enhancing restoration efforts, and mobilizing financial resources. According to the UN News website, securing the necessary funds poses a challenge, as public sector contributions alone are insufficient. The UN deputy chief indicated that cumulative investments should reach $2.6 trillion by 2030, equivalent to global defense spending in 2023. Globally, approximately 40% of land is degraded, leading to reduced biological or economic productivity, with severe implications for climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Droughts, a key issue at COP16, have increased by 29% since 2000 due to climate change and unsustainable land management. The conference, scheduled to continue until December 13, will feature intensive discussions and negotiations to achieve several goals, including accelerating land restoration by 2030, boosting resilience to droughts and dust storms, restoring soil health, promoting equitable land stewardship, ensuring land's role in climate and biodiversity solutions, and unlocking economic opportunities, particularly for youth.