Riyadh Partnership Summit Raises Almost $2.2 Billion to Help Countries Affected by Drought
A first pledge of $2.15 billion has been made to help 80 countries most affected by drought. This was announced at the Riyadh Partnership to tackle this serious problem.
Riyadh Partnership
The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership was launched during the 16th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Representatives from 197 countries gathered to address drought, one of the most dangerous and expensive global challenges.
Discussions about a global drought strategy are expected to be the main focus of the conference, which began on Monday, according to the UN.
Saudi Arabia has committed $150 million in initial funding. The Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development have each pledged $1 billion. Additionally, the Arab Coordination Group, a coalition of 10 organizations from five countries, will announce its support on the second day of the conference.
Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Environment, explained the partnership’s purpose: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership aims to move from reacting to drought emergencies to preparing for them in advance. We want to bring together global resources to save lives and protect livelihoods worldwide.”
The partnership will also work to raise additional funding from countries, financial institutions, and charitable organizations. These contributions will help poorer countries gain access to more financing through a mix of grants, low-interest loans, and investments.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized the urgency: “The world needs a strong decision to tackle the most widespread and disruptive environmental disaster—drought.”
Surprising Facts
The UNCCD reports that droughts, worsened by climate change and poor land use, have increased by nearly 30% in both frequency and severity since 2000. This rise puts agriculture, water supplies, and the lives of 1.8 billion people at risk, with the poorest countries suffering the most.
Additionally, the newly-elected COP16 President, Abdulrahman Alfadley, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, shared that damaged land already impacts three billion people worldwide.
Crucial quote
“Drought is putting jobs, businesses, and the environment at risk, and it threatens global peace and security. If current trends continue, by 2050, three out of four people worldwide could be affected by drought. But you are here in Riyadh to make a difference,” said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed in a video message to the delegates.
Negotiations on drought
A big part of COP16 will focus on creating the first-ever global plan to build drought resilience.
At the Drought Resilience +10 Conference in Geneva (September 30 to October 2, 2024), experts emphasized that drought is becoming more widespread and needs new policies, better tools, and national drought plans that are proactive and integrated.
World Drought Atlas
As severe droughts affect many parts of the world, the UNCCD, along with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) and other partners, has created the World Drought Atlas. This tool highlights drought risks and offers solutions, aiming to alert world leaders and the public to take action.
The atlas uses maps, charts, and real-life examples to show how drought impacts key areas like energy, farming, river transportation, and trade. It also explains how drought can worsen inequality, conflicts, and public health issues.
Additionally, the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) has launched a prototype of the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO). This AI-powered global platform provides useful information to help governments, organizations, and communities prepare for and respond to droughts.
Published: 3rd December 2024
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