The road to COP16: synergy among conventions paves the way for Riyadh

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Updated 22 November 2024
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The road to COP16: synergy among conventions paves the way for Riyadh

  • Khaled Al-Abdulkader: Land degradation impacts agricultural systems, soil fertility, and climate stability
  • Al-Abdulkader: If you invest $1 in land restoration, the returns can reach up to $30

BAKU: As the world looks ahead to COP16 in Riyadh, a clear message is emerging from discussions at COP29 in Baku: addressing global challenges requires breaking down silos between conventions on land, climate, and biodiversity. These three pillars are deeply interconnected, and their integration is essential for building a sustainable future.

The importance of land degradation is a recurring theme, with experts pointing to its role as both a symptom and a driver of broader environmental crises.

Land degradation not only diminishes biodiversity but also reduces agricultural productivity and undermines climate resilience, leading to an estimated $10 trillion in annual economic losses, according to the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative.

COP16 aims to position land rehabilitation at the forefront of global environmental policy by emphasizing its cross-cutting role in achieving sustainable development goals.

The intersection of land, climate, and biodiversity

In an interview with Arab News, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development, underlined the significance of restoring degraded lands as a cornerstone of integrated environmental action.

“Land degradation impacts agricultural systems, soil fertility, and climate stability. Restoring land not only enhances biodiversity and carbon sequestration but also offers significant economic benefits, creating opportunities for local communities,” he said.

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Al-Abdulkader highlighted how Saudi Arabia is implementing initiatives that directly align with the objectives of the UN’s three major conventions: the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Projects such as mangrove restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation illustrate how land restoration can simultaneously support biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and provide financial returns.

“If you invest $1 in land restoration, the returns can reach up to $30. This demonstrates how land-based solutions can address not only environmental challenges but also economic and social priorities,” he added.

Nature-based solutions: a transformative investment

A panel discussion at the Saudi Pavilion during COP29 also shed light on the potential of nature-based solutions in tackling land degradation and its associated impacts. These involve human interventions that emphasize existing facets of healthy ecosystems.

Astrid Schomaker, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, stressed that sustainable land use and rethinking agricultural practices are critical. “Nature-based solutions, when implemented with societal and environmental safeguards, yield outstanding returns. They represent a transformative investment for both ecosystems and communities,” she remarked.

Schomaker called for agriculture to shift towards more sustainable practices, recognizing its dual role as a contributor to and a victim of environmental degradation. This aligns with the broader push for nature-based solutions that can mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, and ensure food security, all while fostering economic resilience.

Saudi Arabia’s role on the global stage

As the host of COP16 in December, Saudi Arabia is poised to bring innovative frameworks to the table. Al-Abdulkader noted that the Riyadh conference will feature groundbreaking initiatives, including the introduction of thematic days focused on land, agricultural systems, innovation, and people.

The Kingdom has already demonstrated its leadership through its commitment to restoring vegetation cover and promoting sustainable land use. Such efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability alongside economic diversification.

The need for global synergy

COP16 in Riyadh will serve as a platform to enhance collaboration across borders, ensuring that land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate action are addressed in tandem.

“We need to foster more synergy among the conventions,” Al-Abdulkader emphasized. “This includes not just technical cooperation but also mobilizing financial resources, improving institutional capacities, and ensuring that every stakeholder — from governments to local communities — is involved.”

The call for enhanced cooperation was echoed by Manual Pulgar-Vidal, former president of COP20, who emphasized the need for actionable targets that integrate the efforts of all three conventions. “The Riyadh conference will be an opportunity to launch a comprehensive action agenda that ensures land restoration remains a global priority,” he said.

The road ahead

With the road to COP16 now clearly mapped out, the focus is on uniting nations, organizations, and individuals to address the challenges of land degradation and its ripple effects. The discussions at COP29 have laid the groundwork for a future where land restoration is recognized not only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity.

The Riyadh conference promises to be a milestone in global environmental cooperation, with the potential to set new standards for integrating land, biodiversity, and climate objectives.


AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

Updated 04 July 2025
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AI training for 334,000 Saudi citizens completed

  • Launched in September 2024, AI skills program targets citizens of all ages and professional backgrounds

RIYADH: A total of 334,000 Saudi Arabia citizens have benefitted from a government program aimed at empowering citizens with artificial intelligence skills, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

The “One Million Saudis in AI” program was set up in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in September 2024.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted key features of the program.

He said the partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom globally in empowering women in AI, and community awareness, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Launched at the Global AI Summit, the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, or ATHKA Competition.

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said.

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on AI concepts.

Another was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” initiative, which trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education Ministry had also established the Center for Excellence in Education.

This was “designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes.”


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
 


Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Updated 03 July 2025
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Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

  • Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.

Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.

Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.

Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.

“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”

The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.

He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change. 

He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.

The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.


Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

ANKARA: Members of the Saudi-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council met with their counterparts from Turkiye during a visit to the country.

During the meeting, held in Ankara, the two sides reviewed ways to further boost their relations and discussed other topics of common interest.

The Saudi delegation also met with Numan Kurtulmus, president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.