The COP16 meeting in Riyadh concluded without agreement on drought management, highlighting divisions between developed and developing nations. Future plans for a global drought regime will be addressed at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. There is an urgent need for strengthened resilience strategies amid escalating climate threats.
The recent United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) meeting, COP16, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, concluded without an agreement to address global droughts. The 12-day negotiations highlighted a significant divide between developed and developing nations on the need for a binding protocol for drought preparedness. It is now anticipated that a comprehensive global drought strategy will be finalized during COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, as the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change.
Despite ongoing climate challenges, including severe droughts that the UN reports cost over $300 billion annually, the parties could not reach a consensus. Developing nations voiced their disappointment, as they sought stronger commitments to ensure accountability in drought response and resilience preparation, especially in Africa. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw indicated that further discussions are necessary to establish a viable path forward.
The relentless rise of droughts, exacerbated by human activity, has prompted global discussions aimed at formulating a coordinated response to this growing concern. COP16 served as a platform for nations to negotiate interventions to combat desertification and mitigate drought’s effects. Previous unsuccessful climate conferences have raised the stakes for this negotiating round, highlighting the urgency of action required in the face of climate-induced disasters that threaten food security and livelihoods globally. UNCCD has emphasized the dire need for extensive land restoration and substantial financial investments, recognizing that effective climate responses must include commitments from developed nations to assist those most affected, especially in the Global South.
The failure to produce a binding agreement at COP16 reflects the ongoing challenges in uniting the global community against drought and desertification. While a framework for a future drought regime is on the horizon, significant disparities between nations threaten to hinder progress. The upcoming talks in Mongolia may represent a crucial opportunity to establish definitive commitments that are essential for protecting vulnerable populations from the adverse impacts of drought and environmental degradation.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
