By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa has welcomed the outcomes of the recently concluded 16th session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
UNCCD estimates that at least USD 2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore more than one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought. This equals USD 1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.
Significant progress was achieved at this COP on key issues, including land tenure, gender, and the establishment of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure their unique circumstances and perspectives are represented. Another major outcome was the continuation of the science-policy interface to enhance science-based decision-making and two new decisions addressing emerging issues were adopted.
However, discussions on drought faced challenges. The substantial part of the decision was deferred to the next COP in Mongolia due to a lack of consensus on the future global drought regime. The division centered on whether to establish a new legally binding Drought Protocol with economic commitments or to adopt a broader framework instrument.
“The UNCCD COP16 adopted 39 decisions that will guide implementation of the Convention at all levels. During the COP, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership worth USD 12.15 billion was launched and will support 80 countries in building their resilience to drought. Amongst the 80 countries, 43 of those will be coming from the Africa Region, “said Deputy Minister of Foresty, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts.
Decisions of the Committee of the Whole
- Parties have requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other sources of financing to strengthen its support for the implementation of the Convention including the prioritisation through the 9th replenishment cycle of the GEF to allocate resources to address drought issues.
- Parties have highlighted the importance and the need of a large-scale multisector implementation as a priority in the implementation of the Convention which includes formulation of clear global targets to strengthen commitment and focus into actions on the ground while fostering synergies at all levels.
- Parties agreed on the need to leverage synergies at the national level in the planning and implementation processes of the three Rio Conventions through integrated actions and approaches.
- In addition, Parties also agreed on the development and implementation of measures to advance the implementation of the Convention at the national, sub-regional and regional levels through projects and initiatives that promote sustainable land and water management, land restoration while building drought resilience.
- Parties recognised that the degradation of all terrestrial ecosystems, which are fundamental for food security and water availability, especially for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, women and any other people whose livelihoods depend on them, can contribute to migration.
For the first time in history, Parties agreed on the need for sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands ahead of COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia in 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, “added Swarts.