The Presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), currently chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has highlighted the crucial role of innovation and global cooperation in tackling the growing problem of drought. This effort is being advanced through flexible funding and wide-ranging institutional partnerships to build stronger resilience in areas most impacted by climate change.
This came during a high-level event in Seville, Spain, titled “Unlocking Innovation and Cooperation to Build Drought Resilience." The event, part of the IDRA initiative (which includes 70 countries and the Riyadh Global Partnership), was held during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4). It brought together ministers, development funds, and multilateral financial institutions.
Representing the COP16 Presidency, Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs and Advisor to the COP16 President, emphasized that tackling drought requires a multilateral coalition rather than isolated efforts. He emphasized the importance of a combination of innovative financing, coordinated institutions, and proactive planning.
Dr. Faqeeha also noted that effective partnerships, like the one between IDRA and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, are crucial for connecting policy with financial tools to achieve sustainable, long-term adaptation.
The session also highlighted the efforts of several financial institutions, including the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). Their representatives discussed strategies for increasing funding for drought resilience projects, expanding partnerships with governments and the private sector, and ensuring that investments are inclusive and have a real impact on the ground.
This participation by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture underscores the Kingdom's broader commitment, through its COP16 leadership, to support global climate change adaptation plans. The goal is to foster greater integration among international initiatives, broaden institutional reach, and further the objectives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.