Context:
The 12-day meeting of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), known as COP16, concluded as parties tried to finalise a deal.
Relevance : GS 3(Climate Change )
Negotiation Outcome:
- The UN-hosted COP16 talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a binding protocol on drought response.
- The meeting concluded a day later than planned, with negotiators unable to finalise an agreement.
Progress Made:
- While no binding deal was reached, significant progress was made toward a future global drought regime, with plans to finalise it at COP17 in 2026 in Mongolia.
Drought Impact:
- Droughts, exacerbated by environmental destruction, cost over $300 billion annually.
- By 2050, 75% of the global population is expected to be affected by drought.
Disagreements on Framework:
- Developed nations pushed for a non-binding framework, while African countries and indigenous groups sought a binding protocol to hold governments accountable for drought preparedness.
Financial Support:
- The talks resulted in over $12 billion in pledges, aimed at bolstering drought resilience, alongside the formation of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.
Future Goals:
- The UNCCD emphasised the need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by the decade’s end, requiring $2.6 trillion in global investments.
