The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) on desertification concluded on December 14 with no final agreement. African nations sought binding commitments, while Western countries resisted obligations, favoring voluntary frameworks.
What Was COP16’s Goal?
COP16, organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), aimed to address challenges linked to desertification and drought. The UNCCD, one of three landmark conventions from the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio—alongside the UNFCCC on climate change and the CBD on biodiversity—focuses on land degradation as a critical component of global sustainability efforts.
This year’s summit marked a significant milestone: UNCCD identified the global financial need to combat desertification—$2.6 trillion annually by 2030. This translates to an ambitious investment of $1 billion daily between 2025 and 2030 to reverse land degradation.
Why the Negotiations Stalled
A key sticking point was whether to adopt a binding “protocol” or a voluntary “framework.”
- African Nations: Advocated for binding commitments, including mandatory preparedness and response plans for drought mitigation.
- Western Nations: Preferred a non-binding framework, offering guidelines without enforcing obligations.
Despite last-minute negotiations, nearly 200 member states could not reach a compromise. However, the UNCCD noted “significant progress” in laying the groundwork for a future global drought agreement, with the intent to finalize it at COP17 in Mongolia.
Sectoral Agreements and Funding Achievements
Although a global drought framework remains elusive, COP16 mobilized over $12 billion to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought. These funds prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable nations.
Key outcomes include:
- International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO): Announced by Saudi Arabia, this global platform will leverage artificial intelligence to assess and enhance countries’ drought preparedness.
- Riyadh Global Partnership on Drought Resilience: This initiative aims to mobilize public and private funds to support 80 drought-affected countries, starting with an initial $2.15 billion commitment, part of a broader $12.15 billion fund.
Additionally, the summit’s Committee on Science and Technology (CST) adopted eight decisions addressing sustainable land use, scientific collaboration, technology transfer, and innovation.