UNCCD COP16: FAO’s role in building resilient agrifood systems, restoring NENA’s landscapes

As global attention converges on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), the urgency to combat land degradation and desertification takes center stage.

For the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, where degraded lands and water scarcity are acute challenges, UNCCD COP16 provides a pivotal platform to showcase transformative solutions that are not only innovative but also essential for sustainable development and climate resilience.

Sustainable land restoration and management

Land degradation in the NENA region threatens food security, rural livelihoods and ecosystem health.

Alarmingly, the proportion of degraded land has risen from 40 per cent to 70 per cent in recent decades, with 5 million hectares lost between 1990 and 2020.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have less than 1 per cent arable land.

At UNCCD COP16, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land restoration practices as a pathway to revitalise degraded landscapes, improve soil health and protect biodiversity.

Through integrated land management approaches, FAO is enabling countries to address the immediate impacts of land degradation and establish long-term resilience to climate challenges.

These efforts underline the role of agrifood systems as central solutions to combat climate crises and achieve land degradation neutrality, aligning with FAO’s Regional Priority Framework on greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action.

Enhancing drought resilience and combating desertification

Droughts have caused $70 billion in economic losses across Africa over the past 50 years, with increasing severity and frequency impacting NENA’s water and food systems.

Agriculture consumes 85 per cent of the region’s renewable water resources, yet 60 per cent of the water supply originates from outside its borders, complicating resource management.

With temperatures projected to rise by up to 4.8°C by the end of the century, these challenges are expected to worsen.

At UNCCD COP16, FAO is focusing on strengthening drought resilience by promoting advanced technologies, early warning systems, sustainable water conservation practices, and leveraging digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

These tools enable smarter resource management, enhance predictive capabilities for drought monitoring, and support the efficient allocation of water resources. 

These efforts align with FAO’s Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa, which works to optimize water use efficiency and ensure sustainable water management across the region.

Empowering women and youth in land governance

A sustainable future for NENA hinges on the inclusion of women and youth in land governance. 

Systemic inequalities mean that despite their critical roles in agriculture and natural resource management, women own less than 7 per cent of agricultural land in the region and face barriers to accessing resources and decision-making roles.

Similarly, youth struggle with limited access to land and financial services, exacerbating their vulnerability to environmental challenges.

At UNCCD COP16, FAO highlights its initiatives to empower women and youth by providing them with tools, training and a platform for participation in governance processes.

Inclusive governance not only addresses systemic inequalities but also strengthens agrifood systems, ensuring they are resilient, equitable, and better equipped to meet the challenges of land degradation and climate change.

Strengthening urban-rural linkages for sustainable food systems

Rapid urbanisation is transforming the NENA region, with 73 per cent of its population projected to live in cities by 2050. 

This demographic shift increases demand for food and natural resources, straining rural agricultural systems and urban infrastructure.

At UNCCD COP16, FAO is addressing this challenge by showcasing strategies that strengthen urban-rural linkages by integrating rural producers into urban food systems.

These efforts promote access to nutritious food while reducing environmental impacts and fostering sustainable development.

Water management: Securing resources for future generations

Water scarcity remains one of the most critical challenges in the NENA region. Most NENA countries have less than 1,000 cubic meters of water per capita annually and rely heavily on desalination and groundwater extraction, leading to unsustainable pressure on resources.

At UNCCD COP16, FAO is advocating for collaborative solutions to address water scarcity, including water-saving technologies, improved irrigation systems, and integrated resource management.

These approaches are essential to sustaining agricultural productivity while safeguarding water resources for future generations.

Scaling up innovation, policy, and financing

The scale of transformation needed to combat land degradation and desertification requires robust policy frameworks, innovative technologies and substantial financial investment.

At UNCCD COP16, FAO is calling for financing mechanisms that prioritise agricultural communities, ensuring resources reach those most affected by environmental challenges.

A key initiative highlighted at COP16 is the Regional Investment Framework for Integrated Development and Ecosystem Restoration Solutions in the Near East and North Africa.

This framework promotes integrated approaches to land restoration, uniting public and private sector investments to support large-scale, sustainable projects that enhance food security, promote greening agriculture, improve livelihoods and build resilience to climate change across the region.

By integrating agrifood systems into regional and global strategies, FAO is enabling transformative actions that address land degradation while driving progress toward sustainable development and resilience.

A call to action

The challenges faced by the NENA region are emblematic of a global crisis that demands immediate and collective action. 

Through its interventions at UNCCD COP16, FAO is reaffirming its commitment to solutions that prioritise sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.

The abovementioned Regional Investment Framework is central to this effort.

By fostering partnerships, empowering communities, and leveraging innovative approaches, FAO is addressing the NENA region’s unique challenges while setting a precedent for global action against land degradation and desertification.

As we advance, the outcomes of UNCCD COP16 will drive transformative change, shaping a future where sustainable land management and agrifood systems foster resilience and prosperity.

Let us seize this moment to ensure that no region, no community, and no individual is left behind in the fight for a sustainable planet.

Abdulhakim Elwaer is FAO assistant directorgeneral and regional representative for the Near East and North Africa. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024.

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