Credits: UNCCD COP16 Riyadh
Add to your calendar
Official link: https://www.unccdcop16.org/

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has officially announced that the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) will be held from 2 to 13 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This significant gathering will also include the twenty-second session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC22) and the sixteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST16).

Interested in volunteering? Click here.
Interested in careers and recruitment? Click here.

***

Under the overarching theme “Our land, our future,” COP16 aims to address critical issues related to desertification and land degradation. Prior to the main event, regional consultations will be convened across multiple continents to prepare the affected country Parties. These consultations are scheduled for September and October, with follow-up meetings in Riyadh from 30 November to 1 December 2024.

A high-level segment, including a Leaders Summit, will commence the session, reflecting the urgency and importance of the discussions. Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the UNCCD secretariat and various partners, is preparing an ambitious Riyadh Action Agenda. This agenda will feature thematic days designed to promote awareness and encourage the adoption of transformative solutions across multiple sectors including agri-food systems, land governance, and science-innovation and technology.

Key events during the congress will include High-Level Interactive Dialogues, Ministerial Round Tables, and Special Events focusing on crucial topics such as drought resilience and finance. These discussions are set to take place from 5 to 11 December 2024.

To facilitate effective participation, the UNCCD secretariat has requested that all delegates be equipped with full powers to engage comprehensively in the sessions. The conference will be a paperless event, with all session documents available on the UNCCD website and the conference app. Online registration for COP16 opened on 15 July 2024, with participants required to upload official nomination letters confirming their attendance.

The session will emphasise the importance of inclusive engagement, welcoming representatives from diverse sectors including youth, women, indigenous peoples, and the private sector. The UNCCD encourages all parties to participate actively in what promises to be a pivotal conference in the global fight against desertification.