The Presidency of the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the implementation of the Riyadh decisions adopted at CRIC23. The Presidency also confirmed its intent to take clear steps in support of international efforts to combat desertification, promote land restoration worldwide, and contribute to informed decision making ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026.
This came during Saudi Arabia's participation, in its capacity as COP16 President, in the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23), held in Panama City, with the participation of representatives from 197 Parties to the Convention.
The COP16 Presidency held by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to lead global momentum to enhance international cooperation on protecting land, climate, and nature. It emphasized the importance of ambitious implementation of the decisions made and accelerating the shift toward a future that is more resilient, food secure, and environmentally sustainable.
This biennial meeting builds on the strong international momentum and transformational shift in the path of this vital convention, following Saudi Arabia's successful hosting of COP16 in Riyadh in December 2024. That milestone event resulted in key global decisions and the launch of several pioneering initiatives.
Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 President, stated during the session: “The decisions adopted during the Riyadh conference in December 2024 laid a new foundation for integrated action to address land degradation and drought."
Dr. Faqeeha emphasized that: “Sustainable land management and resilience building are no longer options, but strategic necessities for a more secure and sustainable future."
He noted that the meeting in Panama presents a critical opportunity to assess progress and turn these decisions into concrete policies and practices that ensure food and water security for communities.
CRIC23 reviewed the implementation of COP16 decisions and outlined the post-2030 roadmap, including thematic sessions on land tenure as a foundation for investing in healthy land, the rising threat of sand and dust storms, and the second meeting of the Gender Caucus to promote the participation of women disproportionately affected by land degradation.
The session also included the launch of new reports on Small Island Developing States and rangelands, along with interactive sessions involving youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
In addition, the first dialogue of the “Tafa'ul Process" was held led by the COP16 Presidency. This voluntary series of dialogues, based on the outcomes of COP16, aims to prepare for the resumption of drought negotiations at COP17. The Tafa'ul Process, named after the Arabic word for optimism, reflects Saudi Arabia's leadership in promoting global consensus and building greater resilience to drought.
Saudi Arabia's presence at CRIC23 reflects its continued leadership in driving global efforts to implement the UNCCD and strengthen synergies between the three Rio Conventions. This is supported through effective implementation tools, including:
- The Riyadh Action Agenda
- The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP)
- The Business for Land (Business4Land) Forum
- The Packages for Accelerated Solutions (PAS)
The COP16 Presidency looks forward to the outcomes of CRIC23 supporting decisionmaking by Parties ahead of COP17, which will be hosted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026. The event will coincide with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, marking a pivotal political moment to spotlight the vital role of rangelands in global environmental and food security.