3 Billion Affected by Global Land Degradation Crisis: UNCCD Chief

News Desk

New York:  Around 3 billion people globally are facing the impacts of land degradation, a situation that will exacerbate migration, instability, and insecurity in many communities, said Abdulrahman Alfadley, the newly-elected President of the UN-backed conference on desertification, drought, and land restoration. The conference is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Alfadley, who is also the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, made the remarks as the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) began in the Saudi capital.

The meeting aims to boost global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.

According to UNCCD, up to 40 percent of the world’s land is degraded, impacting its biological or economic productivity, with severe consequences for the climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Droughts, which are a key focus of COP16, have increased by 29 percent since 2000 due to climate change and unsustainable land management.

Ibrahim Thiaw, the UNCCD’s Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of land restoration, stating that it is essential for the future of humanity. He shared his experience meeting affected farmers, mothers, and young people, noting that land degradation impacts their daily lives, driving up food prices and straining communities.

COP16 provides a platform for leaders from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to address the latest research and chart a sustainable future for land use. Thiaw urged global cooperation to reverse land degradation trends, emphasizing the need for decisive action.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, in a video address, stressed the importance of international cooperation, ramping up restoration efforts, and mobilizing financial resources, which she noted must total $2.6 trillion by 2030—equivalent to global defense spending in 2023.

Civil society representatives, including Pakistan’s Tahanyat Naeem Satti, called for inclusive action at COP16, advocating for the meaningful participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in decision-making processes to effectively address land degradation. The conference will run until December 13.