Failure to Reach Binding Agreement
COP16 talks on drought in Riyadh ended without a binding agreement on how to address drought effectively.
While no agreement was reached, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) talks made significant progress in laying the foundation for a future global drought regime.
COP17 in Mongolia in 2026 is set to continue these efforts and aim for completion of a global drought plan.
Disagreements Between Nations
African countries pushed for a binding protocol to hold governments accountable for drought preparedness and response.
Developed nations favored a more flexible “framework” instead, which African nations felt was insufficient.
Indigenous groups also supported the need for a protocol to ensure better monitoring and response planning.
Drought's Rising Impact
Droughts, worsened by human activities, cost the world over $300 billion annually and are expected to affect 75% of the global population by 2050.
A united African stance highlighted the urgency for concrete measures against drought.
Financial Commitments and Future Plans
COP16 participants pledged $12 billion to help drought-affected countries through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.
The UNCCD stressed the need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, requiring $2.6 trillion in global investments.
Despite the lack of a protocol, governments can still allocate funds to support sustainable land management and farmers.
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