During the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), held from 2 to 13 December in Riyadh, ESCWA organized several initiatives and activities, and participated in others.
Discussions focused on sustainable land and water management, urban resilience, and food systems transformation. Innovative solutions such as urban forestry, nature-based approaches, and integrated urban planning, were emphasized as key strategies to combat land degradation and enhance biodiversity in arid cities.
The sessions also addressed the impact of conflicts on land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion, and governance challenges that hinder restoration efforts. ESCWA called for strengthened regional cooperation to restore degraded lands, support affected communities and improve resilience.
