The UAE recently concluded its participation in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) by emphasizing the importance of strengthening international cooperation to develop practical solutions for tackling desertification and addressing drought. During its participation, the UAE also underlined the importance of the active involvement of all community groups, with a focus on enhancing the role of women in global sustainable land management.
Held in Riyadh from December 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 explored key strategies for transforming land degradation into renewal.
Advancing sustainability locally and globally
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who led the UAE delegation at COP16, said that with the support of its visionary leadership, the UAE serves as an inspiring model for advancing sustainability within the country and globally. She highlighted the UAE’s pioneering efforts and initiatives, which have contributed to the development of several communities in various nations.
“COP16 on combating desertification marked a new chapter in the UAE’s achievements to address the global drought crisis and halting land degradation. Through effective contributions to global efforts, the UAE has strengthened sustainable agriculture and food systems, and leveraged innovation to develop solutions to the global water crisis, particularly through the ‘Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative’ and other efforts,” she stated.
Al Dahak outlined the UAE’s goals which include addressing national challenges, expanding innovation-driven agriculture and food systems, promoting sustainable water management, and maximizing the benefits derived from natural resources while preventing waste.
Water scarcity, a regional challenge
During his participation in a session titled ‘Strengthening the Environmental Dimension of Food Systems Amid a Polycrisis in the Arab Region’, Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized that water scarcity is a significant challenge for the Arab region. As one of the most arid places in the world, the Arab region faces immense pressure on its limited freshwater resources especially for agriculture.
“We must invest in climate-smart land solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance climate resilience across the Arab region. The success of these efforts hinges on cooperation,” Al Nuaimi said.
Tackling the challenges of climate change, water scarcity, land degradation and desertification calls for concerted regional efforts. These include leveraging advanced technologies, strengthening resource management and enhancing international cooperation.
“During our Presidency of COP28, we highlighted the critical role of agri-food systems in addressing these challenges and prioritized placing food systems at the heart of the climate action agenda,” he added.
Key UAE initiatives
The UAE delegation at COP16 highlighted key national initiatives including the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, which has been endorsed by 160 nations to date. The declaration underscores the importance of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement which relies on addressing the interconnections between food systems, agriculture, and climate.
Meanwhile, the ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Program aims to empower local communities to achieve sustainable food security in the UAE by encouraging their participation in agricultural practices. In addition, the ‘National Agriculture Center’ aims to advance research and innovation in agricultural technologies.
The launch of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) by the UAE in collaboration with the Republic of Indonesia, is another milestone in the Emirates’ climate efforts. The alliance aims to globally expand the planting of mangrove trees, which act as natural carbon sinks, and serve as a vital link in preserving the marine environment and biodiversity. The alliance currently includes 45 countries.
Read: The UAE hikes its climate ambitions in submission to the UN
Gender equality and climate change
For her part at COP16, Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, acting assistant undersecretary for biodiversity and marine life sector at MOCCAE, participated in a session titled ‘High Level Interactive Dialogue of the Gender Caucus: HerLand: Women’s leadership on sustainable land management’. She emphasized the UAE’s commitment to gender equality as part of the nation’s efforts to address the impact of climate change, particularly in sustainable land management.
“The climate crisis does not affect one gender more than the other; both women and men are significantly impacted by climate change. This presents a unique opportunity to strengthen efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought, while enhancing the leadership role of women and girls by leveraging their expertise, knowledge, and skills,” she stated.
Al Shehhi noted that the presence of women in this field globally remains modest. Therefore, this necessitates the formulation of more effective and inclusive policies and projects. Women constitute nearly 50 percent of the agricultural workforce worldwide. However, they own less than one-fifth of the total land globally.
At COP16, Al Shehhi also highlighted the significant role of the UAE in empowering women in agriculture through efforts that include a project to enhance the capabilities of refugees in Uganda, funded by the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Al Shehhi concluded her participation by emphasizing the importance of enhancing international cooperation by aligning actions with global frameworks such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure coherent strategies.
