(AGENPARL) – gio 28 novembre 2024 [A logo with blue text Description automatically generated]
Media Advisory
UNEP at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
2 – 13 December 2024
On the 30th anniversary of the Convention, UNCCD COP16 will bring together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society and global stakeholders to accelerate progress in sustainable land management.
UNCCD COP16 will aim to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach. It is also expected to catalyze new initiatives on land restoration and drought resilience and is set to leave a strong legacy, building on the G20 Global Land Initiative, as well as Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives. UNCCD COP16 will be the first major UN conference hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first time a UNCCD COP is held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will participate in the UNCCD COP16, with experts available for interviews on the ground in Riyadh and remotely. UNEP will announce the 2024 UN Champions of the Earth, as well as lead events and discussions on a host of topics.
The schedule is in Riyadh standard time (GMT+ 3).
The following briefs and reports will be launched during the UNCCD COP16:
* State of Finance for Nature Restoration Finance Brief
3 December
Time: 15:30 – 17:00 | Location: MET-04
UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature Restoration Finance Brief will be launched at the Financing Land Restoration – Joint Action Across Conventions side event. The report highlights the gap between current finance flows and the investment needed to meet global restoration targets, emphasizing the urgent need to scale up funding for agroforestry, reforestation, and sustainable land management to restore 1 billion hectares by 2030 and support climate and biodiversity goals.
* Nature-based Solutions for Peace: Emerging Practice and Options for Policy Makers
4 December
Time: 13:00 to 14:30 | Location: MET-04
UNEP’s Nature-based Solutions for Peace report will be launched at the NbS4Peace side event, which will bring together policymakers and technical experts to explore policy coordination and financing for NbS. The event will also support broader discussions on peace with nature, aligning with ongoing COP discussions on climate, nature, and land efforts.
* Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024 report
7 December
Time: 12:30 to 14:00 | Location: MET-23
The Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024 report will highlight the social and economic co-benefits of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) alongside their environmental impact. The report explores the job creation potential of NbS, estimates future job growth with increased investment, and examines the skills needed for a just transition.
On the sidelines of the UNCCD COP16, UNEP will announce:
5 December
2025 UN World Restoration Flagships Announcement Plan
Throughout 2025, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) will award and celebrate initiatives and countries that have succeeded in reviving land and soils, saving aquatic ecosystems and fighting biodiversity loss and climate change. The announcement plan will be shared during this opening event at the FAO Pavilion. With the World Restoration Flagships, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is honouring the best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration in any country or region, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade.
Dates: 5 December, 8:00 – 8:45
Location: FAO Pavilion, Blue Zone, Delegations Pavilion, ST-827
10 December
Champions of the Earth 2024
Established in 2005, the Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour. In 2024, UNEP honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and combat desertification. From grassroots champions and corporate leaders to scientists and policymakers, UNEP celebrates Champions taking bold action for our world. Champions of the Earth are awarded in four categories: policy leadership, inspiration and action, entrepreneurial vision, and science and innovation.
UNEP will participate in various events at UNCCD COP16
Land Day (4 December)
High-level opening – Rio Convention Synergies
4 December
Time: 08:00 – 08:55 | Location: MET-33
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/high-level-opening-rio-convention-synergies
Land Restoration Moonshot: Success Stories
4 December
Time: 11:50 – 12:50 | Location: MET-33
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/land-restoration-moonshot-success-stories
Land Restoration Moonshot: Scaling Finance, Empowering People
4 December
Time: 17:35 – 19:05 | Location: MET-33
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/land-restoration-moonshot-success-stories
Fashion4Land
4 December
Time: 18:00-20:00 | Location: MET-25
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/fashion-4-land
High-level land restoration initiatives and flagships around the globe
4 December
Time: 19:05 – 19:35 | Location: MET-33
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/high-level-closing
Agri-food System Day (5 December)
Interministerial coordination in action
5 December
Time: 11:00 – 12:30 | Location: MET-24
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/inter-ministerial-coordination-action
Governance Day (6 December)
MEAs Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance
6 December
Time: 18:00 – 19:00 | Location: MET-03
This side event will emphasize the critical role of strengthened multilateralism in achieving the objectives of the three Rio Conventions. It will showcase practical solutions and synergies identified at the Bern III Conference, focusing on cooperation among 16 multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to support integrated approaches for land restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate action at the national level.
Speakers:
* Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP
* Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD
* Faisal Shuraim, Director of Terrestrial Mammals Department, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/official-documents/cop-16-riyadh-saudi-arabia-2024/254-unep-meas-synergies-strengthened
People’s Day (7 December)
Youth Forum – Action for land, restoring work for resilient and sustainable futures
7 December
Time: 15:00 – 18:00 | Location: MET-33
Event page: https://www.unccd.int/cop16/programme/special-side-events/youth-forum
UNEP Pavilion at UNCCD COP 16
The UNEP Pavilion highlights global efforts and solutions to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought. It will feature a dynamic agenda of events, discussions, and expert speakers, focusing on land restoration, sustainable land management, and community resilience. Visitors are also encouraged to try out the virtual reality experience, to meet some of the planet’s most endangered species. The pavilion will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing to accelerate action towards meeting global land, biodiversity, and climate goals.
Dates: Daily from Monday, 2 December – Thursday, 12 December
Location: UNEP Pavilion, Blue Zone, Delegations Pavilion, ST-827
*This is not a final list – new reports and events may be added.?Regular updates will be shared on the UNEP website.