ULAANBAATAR — Saudi Arabia mobilized more than $12 billion in financial pledges to combat land degradation during its nearly two-year presidency of COP16, which also saw the Riyadh conference attract more than 100,000 participants from 170 countries. The Kingdom highlighted the key achievements of its presidency of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) before handing over the presidency to Mongolia. COP16 in Riyadh attracted more than 100,000 participants from 170 countries, compared with around 7,000 at COP15 and 6,000 at COP14. It featured more than 820 events and 100 pavilions, with participation from 50 countries and around 70 regional, international and local organizations. Participants also agreed on 24 provisions forming the basis of a drought-related decision, advancing negotiations ahead of COP17. Among the initiatives advanced during the Kingdom’s presidency was the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which secured more than $2 billion in pledges, as well as the International Initiative for Early Warning for Sand and Dust Storms. The Riyadh Action Agenda also expanded from more than 35 initiatives announced during COP16 to 100 initiatives, supporting efforts to restore degraded forests, rangelands and agricultural land and reduce the impacts of drought. COP16 also introduced a Green Zone alongside the Blue Zone for the first time and recorded the largest private-sector participation in the history of UNCCD COP conferences, including the first Business for Land Forum. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environment Dr. Osama bin Ibrahim Faqeeha said the Kingdom’s presidency brought land degradation and drought to the forefront of international agendas. Faqeeha stressed that the handover of the presidency to Mongolia represents a transition rather than an end to Saudi Arabia’s efforts, with the Kingdom continuing to support COP16 outcomes and international initiatives. At COP17, Saudi Arabia is participating in the conference proceedings and negotiations, organizing events on the official agenda and highlighting the achievements of the Middle East Green Initiative. The Kingdom’s pavilion in the Blue Zone will also host 40 side events involving 22 local entities.
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