Saudi Arabia’s incoming COP16 president vowed to work with the international community to tackle drought and desertification on the first day of a UN conference in Riyadh. Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Kingdom’s minister of environment, used his speech at the event – being held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land. Our Future” – to reflect on the challenges facing the global community.
Outgoing COP15 president, Côte d’Ivoire’s Alain-Richard Donwahi, handed over leadership of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification with a call for continued urgency, while Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, warned that close to 40 percent of the planet’s surface is affected by land degradation.
Al-Fadli said he was “honoured” to have been elected president, adding: “We look forward to intensifying action under this convention to face the challenges and promote integration between various international environment organizations.”
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, he emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to combating desertification, adding: “The Middle East is one of the regions most impacted by land degradation, drought, and desertification. We seek to address environmental challenges in partnership with the international community.”
The environment minister highlighted Vision 2030 as a cornerstone for the Kingdom’s green agenda, saying: “Protecting the environment and natural resources is essential for achieving sustainable development and quality of life.”—AN
