Leaders of the BRICS nations have united in a call for enhanced financial resources and stronger partnerships to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, ahead of a major United Nations environment conference set to take place in Saudi Arabia this December. The joint statement, issued by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, highlights the significant threats these environmental issues pose to both human well-being and the natural environment.
The statement was released as preparations ramp up for the sixteenth session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), which will be held in Riyadh from December 2-13. According to UNCCD data, land degradation currently affects approximately 40% of the Earth’s surface, impacting around 3.2 billion people worldwide.
In their statement, the BRICS leaders acknowledged existing efforts in sustainable land management but underscored the urgent need for “integrated policies” to address the interconnected challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought. They expressed concern that these issues exacerbate forced migration and contribute to worsening global food and water insecurity.
Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, welcomed the BRICS leaders’ statement, describing it as a reflection of the increasing urgency to combat the global trend of land degradation. He emphasised the importance of forging new partnerships to accelerate efforts in land restoration and enhancing drought resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions.
“The impacts of land degradation, drought, and desertification are felt in nearly every corner of the planet,” Dr. Faqeeha noted. “It is imperative that the international community addresses the root causes of these issues during the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh.”
This conference is anticipated to be the largest UNCCD COP to date and will introduce the first-ever Green Zone, aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation. The initiative seeks to increase the involvement of the private sector in land restoration efforts. The UNCCD has set an ambitious target of restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, recognising the potential economic benefits of such restoration. According to UNCCD estimates, every dollar invested in land restoration could yield returns of up to $30.
The urgency of the BRICS leaders’ statement reflects a growing global consensus on the need to combat environmental degradation as a collective responsibility. With Saudi Arabia set to play host to COP16, the hope is that the conference will catalyse concrete actions and partnerships aimed at tackling these pressing challenges. The emphasis on collaborative solutions underscores the critical role that nations must play together to secure a sustainable future for both the planet and its inhabitants.
As the world watches, the BRICS nations are positioning themselves as key advocates for environmental resilience, urging the international community to take decisive action against land degradation and its associated consequences. For more information: visit UNCCDCOP16.org.