UN Convention to Combat Desertification

⚡ During the session on Relations with Conventions and Other Financial Institutions, heads of Conventions that the GEF serves updated the #GEFcouncil68 on the past and upcoming COPs and the ongoing partnership with the GEF. 🔷 Executive Secretary of UN Biodiversity Astrid Schomaker briefed the #GEFCouncil68 about the key outcomes of the CBD #COP16Colombia and its upcoming resumed meeting in Rome, in February 2025, which will focus on resource mobilization and financial mechanism. 🔷 Deputy Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change Noura Hamladji informed the #GEFCouncil68 about key outcomes of #COP29Baku — the 'climate finance COP.' "COP29 underscored the need for collaboration. It underscored also the need for coherence & complementarity between the GEF and other financial institutions," said Hamladji. 🔷 Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary General, Acting Legal Counsel of the United Nations Legal Council briefed the Council on the status of the #BBNJ ratification, ongoing work to prepare for the agreement's entry into force, and about progress on the cooperation between United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of The Sea (UNDOALOS) and the GEF. 🔷 Executive Secretary of The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Rolph Payet shared his perspectives on the upcoming Stockholm COP 12 and other issues relevant to the GEF, such as #GEF9 replenishment and the PCB elimination program. He stated that the #StockholmConvention on #POPs estimates that $18.3 billion are needed to meet 2026-2030 implementation needs, and that the GEF is ideally suited to address synergies between #chemicals & other issues. 🔷 Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention on Mercury Monika Stankiewicz shared her perspectives on the ongoing partnership between the Convention and the GEF. 🔷 Houtan Bassiri, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, shared the key outcomes of #COP16Riyadh on behalf of the Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. "COP16 marked a critical turning point in our global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought," he stated. 🔗 Check out the full highlights from the day: https://lnkd.in/emZqmYcX

COP16Riyadh concludes, marking the largest and most inclusive UN Convention to Combat Desertification conference ever with +20,000 participants coming together to tackle desertification, land degradation, and drought. $12.15B pledged through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership to support 80 vulnerable countries. Launch of the AI-powered Drought Observatory, revolutionizing how we adapt to severe droughts. Introduction of the #Business4Land initiative to increase private sector engagement, with +400 companies joining discussions on sustainable finance, ESG, and land restoration. Emphasis on women and youth as key drivers of change, with youth-led initiatives and gender-responsive policies paving the way for inclusivity. Science-driven action, highlighting: 77.6% of Earth’s land is drier than 30 years ago. Drylands now cover 40.6% of the planet, threatening ecosystems and food security. As COP16 President Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley stated: "The outcomes of this session mark a turning point in raising global awareness and strengthening efforts to restore land and build resilience." The journey continues toward a global drought response at #COP17 in Mongolia. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e52yiHYr. #UNited4Land

The existential crisis redefining life on Earth: aridity. Even as dramatic water-related disasters intensified in some parts of the world, over 3/4 of Earth’s land became permanently drier in last 3 decades - endangering billions with water scarcity, food insecurity & forced migration. New report by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification:

Saudi Arabia is taking up a leadership role in a global initiative to establish an early warning system in the Middle East to monitor sand and dust storms. It is one of the main results of #COP16Riyadh, more outcomes to be announced today. via Arab News https://lnkd.in/ezKADZNc

Healthy soil is vital for our water and food. But much of the fertile land is degraded, turning to desert. Over the past 2 weeks, nations gathered at #COP16Riyadh to tackle the problem. The outcomes will be announced later today. via Deutsche Welle Holly Young https://lnkd.in/eq22t3K4

👩🏾🌾 👩🏽🌾👩🏿🌾 Included, respected, supported. At #COP16Riyadh, #IndigenousPeoples are claiming their centrality to land and drought action globally. Read their ‘Sacred Land’ declaration here: https://lnkd.in/e7Bdi5dB Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim Indigenous Climate Hub #WeAreIndigenous

#Competition: Submit your photos showcasing innovative solutions and inspire global action toward a more resilient future #UNited4Land

🌍 Resilience Day at #COP16Riyadh: Building a Drought-Resilient Future 🌾 Resilience Day at COP16 carried forward the theme of tackling drought as a global challenge with far-reaching consequences. Experts gathered to spotlight innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. Key Themes: 💧 Drought’s Global Impact Drought and land degradation are not just environmental issues—they are economic, humanitarian and social crises. With 90% of freshwater stored in soil, drought threatens food security, displaces millions and raises global food prices, creating ripple effects across borders 🌱 Proactive Resilience Moving from reactive responses to proactive resilience is vital. Investments in preparedness—early warning systems, drought-resilient crops and farmer training—yield exponential returns, protecting lives and livelihoods. 🌍 Restoration as a Growth Strategy Restoration transforms degraded land into economic opportunities. Flagship initiatives like Great Green Wall in Africa demonstrate how restoration fosters job creation and revitalizes ecosystems, offering a blueprint for sustainable growth. 📊 Innovative Solutions and Data-Driven Action Technology plays a critical role in resilience. Tools like satellite data enable accurate risk assessments and timely interventions, ensuring resources are deployed when and where they’re needed most. 🤝 Global Partnerships + Collaboration Addressing drought requires collective action. Partnerships among governments, private sectors, NGOs and communities are key to scaling solutions and maximize impact. 🌟 Empowering Youth Youth play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient future. Engaging young voices ensures that policies are inclusive and forward-looking. 🚀 The International Drought Resilience Observatory: A Game-Changer IDRO was the flavor of the Day, showcasing its potential to: –  Build a global framework for drought preparedness –  Leverage advanced data systems to provide early warning and inform risk management –  Facilitate knowledge sharing + partnerships –  Enable local and national governments to develop drought resilience plans ⏳ Time to Act is Now Resilience Day was a reminder that holistic approach and global collaboration can turn challenges into opportunities for a resilient future. The World Bank World Meteorological Organization United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة World Vision IUCN EU Science, Research and Innovation NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Saudi Water Authority UNCCD Youth Caucus المركز الوطني للأرصاد National Center for Meteorology Global Water Partnership Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions Valerie Hickey Thu-Ba Huynh Gabriel Lambert Julie Dabo Stewart Maginnis Andrea Toreti Roger Pulwarty Prof Ben Lyons Juliet Grace Luwedde Ruth Tiffer Sotomayor Hannah McDonald-Moniz Glòria Pallarès Special Envoy for Global Food Security Dr. Cary Fowler

🟥 Join us live from #COP16Riyadh as we explore solutions for water security and #drought preparedness that inspire collaboration to tackle desertification, sand + dust storms and water scarcity 🌍💧 ⏯️ https://lnkd.in/eswjUczt The World Bank World Meteorological Organization United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

🌱 Congratulations to SEKEM Group UN Environment Programme Champion of the Earth 2024! 🌱 SEKEM has been honored in the Entrepreneurial Vision category for its groundbreaking efforts in sustainable agriculture. By promoting biodynamic farming and advancing afforestation and reforestation, SEKEM has turned desert landscapes into thriving agricultural communities. As a past winner of the UNCCD Land4Life Award, SEKEM’s work exemplifies the power of innovation and dedication in restoring degraded land and achieving sustainable development. We applaud SEKEM for its inspiring contribution to a greener, more resilient future! #ChampionsOfTheEarth #UNited4Land #RegenerativeAgriculture