South Africa welcomes the outcomes of the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

19 December 2024

South Africa’s Deputy Minister, Ms Bernice Swarts, has welcomed the outcomes of the recently concluded 16th session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“The UNCCD COP16 adopted 39 decisions that will guide implementation of the Convention at all levels. During the COP, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership worth USD 12.15 billion was launched and will support 80 countries in building their resilience to drought. Amongst the 80 countries, 43 of those will be coming from the Africa Region,” said Deputy Minister Swarts.

In a landmark decision, Parties requested for the creation of a Caucus for Indigenous Peoples and a Caucus for Local Communities to ensure that their unique perspectives and priorities are adequately represented in the work of the Convention.

On securing additional investments and relations with financial mechanisms, Parties have requested the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other sources of financing to strengthen its support for the implementation of the Convention including the prioritisation through the 9th replenishment cycle of the GEF to allocate resources to address drought issues.

The COP also requested developed countries, Parties, relevant United Nations entities, international financial institutions and private sector to provide substantial financial and non-financial resources to strengthen the implementation of projects and programmes in line with the UNCCD 10-year strategic framework of the Convention.

With regard to follow-up on policy frameworks and thematic issues: Drought, after a robust and intense negotiations that lasted for two weeks, the COP failed to reach an agreement to tackle drought on whether to negotiate on a new global framework or a legally binding protocol on drought. Other Parties indicated that, they needed more time to agree on the best way forward in addressing drought. In this regard, Parties have adopted a procedural decision that will allow them to continue discussions based on the progress made at COP 16, with a view of adopting a decision at COP 17 to be held in Mongolia. Parties were supposed to reach consensus on a best suitable instrument to address drought at a global level.

On the Midterm evaluation of the UNCCD 2018 – 2030 Strategic Framework, the findings of the midterm evaluation report and its recommendations were welcomed by Parties. Parties have highlighted the importance and the need of a large-scale multisector implementation as a priority in the implementation of the Convention which includes formulation of clear global targets to strengthen commitment and focus into actions on the ground while fostering synergies at all levels. Parties agreed on the need to leverage synergies at the national level in the planning and implementation processes of the three Rio Conventions through integrated actions and approaches. In addition, Parties also agreed on the development and implementation of measures to advance the implementation of the Convention at the national, sub-regional and regional levels through projects and initiatives that promote sustainable land and water management, land restoration while building drought resilience.

Regarding measures to address desertification, land degradation and drought as one of the drivers that causes migration, Parties recognised that the degradation of all terrestrial ecosystems, which are fundamental for food security and water availability, especially for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, women and any other people whose livelihoods depend on them, can contribute to migration.

Building on the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy and Action Plan, a total of 30 youth from across the world through the Land Youth Negotiator programme attended the COP as young negotiators. South Africa is also part of the Land Youth Negotiator aimed at supporting youth with a more prominent role in land and drought negotiations and further assist with the overall implementation of the Convention at a national level.

“From Riyadh to Mongolia - For the first time in history, Parties agreed on the need for sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands ahead of COP17, to be hosted by Mongolia in 2026 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists,” added Deputy Minister Swarts.

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