https://arab.news/942ax
- Initiative launched during Agri-Food System Day at COP16 in Riyadh聽
RIYADH: 黑料社区 has introduced the Riyadh Action Agenda, an initiative to unite stakeholders in tackling land degradation, desertification, and drought.
The announcement was made by Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and advisor to the UNCCD COP16 presidency, during a keynote address at a high-level dialogue on sustainable agri-food systems.
The agenda will leverage COP16鈥檚 momentum over the two-year presidency, engaging diverse stakeholders to drive tangible impact for farmers, indigenous peoples, and other affected groups.
Speaking during a keynote address, Faqeeha said: 鈥淚f we are to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience initiatives at the pace and scale required, then it is critical we continue to mobilize and incentivize action long after COP16 in Riyadh ends, reaffirming 黑料社区鈥檚 leadership in land restoration, and leaving a lasting legacy of global change.鈥�
The launch took place on Agri-Food System Day, one of seven thematic days at COP16. Agriculture, a leading driver of land degradation, accounts for 23 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, 80 percent of deforestation, and 70 percent of freshwater use, according to the UNCCD.
Agri-Food System Day featured discussions on sustainable agricultural practices, with topics including soil health, resilient crops, and private sector involvement in transforming food systems. The day coincided with World Soil Day, which highlights the importance of sustainable soil management.
鈥淎round 95 percent of our food comes from the soil, and yet we continue to treat it like dirt,鈥� Faqeeha said. 鈥淯nsustainable practices are causing significant soil loss annually, worsening global food and water security, and affecting farmers and consumers alike.鈥�
The UNCCD estimates that by 2050, global crop yields could decline by 10 percent, with worst-hit regions facing a 50 percent drop. Food prices could rise by 30 percent due to shrinking arable land and rising population demands.
鈥淲e do not need to reinvent the wheel to deliver urgent solutions,鈥� Faqeeha added. 鈥淩einvesting harmful agricultural subsidies could immediately support land restoration and reform unsustainable practices.鈥�
The UNCCD COP16 conference, themed Our Land. Our Future., is being held from Dec. 2-13, 2024, at Boulevard Riyadh World. The event marks the UNCCD鈥檚 30th anniversary and aims to address issues like drought resilience and land tenure.