On World Soil Day, the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16) focused on agri-food systems. With agriculture needing to produce 50% more food by 2050⎯while up to 40% of our lands are already degraded⎯urgent action is needed to restore lands, protect ecosystems, and meet the demands of a growing population.
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Recognizing the importance of promoting sustainable land management to support healthy soils, resilient crops, and nutritious food, the morning’s Open Dialogue session with civil society featured panelists who are working on the ground to ensure healthy soil, sustainable agriculture, and social and environmental well-being.
As the keynote speaker, 2024 UNCCD Land Hero Siddhesh Sakore said, “when you heal the soil in the region, you restore hope and create a brighter future.”
Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD, underscored that the UNCCD is the only multilateral environment agreement that devotes nearly one full day to a dialogue with civil society organizations (CSOs). He stated that these sessions create a unique opportunity that integrates CSOs into the UNCCD process.
In the afternoon, the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) began discussions on the work of the Convention’s Science-Policy Interface (SPI). They also discussed a US-proposal on innovation and technology in ecologically sustainable agri-food systems.
In the afternoon and evening, contact groups convened. The Committee of the Whole (COW) contact group on other matters discussed draft decisions on drought and land tenure. The CST contact group continued considering the draft decision on sustainable land use systems.
The Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) contact group focused on the draft decision on an assessment of the implementation of the Convention against objectives 1-4 of the 2018-2030 Strategic Framework.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For UNCCD COP 16, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou
Open Dialogue Session
Anand Ethirajulu, Conscious Planet
Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD
Glenda Mangia, Fundación Cultura Ambiental Causa Ecologista (CAUCE)
Priyanka Patil, Youth Representative of Brahma Kumaris, India
A slide from Priyanka Patil's presentation
Sopiko Babalashvili, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Erimelinda Temba, Islands of Peace, Tanzania
Ali Aii Shatu, Mbororo Pastoralists, Cameroon
Mauro Centritto, Moderator
Marioldy Sánchez Santivañez, Asociación para la Investigación y Desarrollo Integral (AIDER)
Cristina de Avila, EU
Karol Boudreaux, US
Fleur Downard, Australia
David Knyazyan, Armenia
Tai Pelli, United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP)
Emmanuel Seck, South Africa
Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni, Senegal
Isabel Monteiro, Cabo Verde
Delegates from Rwanda
Rizal Affandi Lukman, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC)
Moulay Driss Hachimi, Morocco
Committee on Science and Technology
Emma Archer, SPI Co-Lead
Nichole Barger, SPI Co-Chair
Lydia Kanoi Liyio, Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), makes a statement supported by members of civil society organizations.
Nijavalli Ravindranath, SPI Co-Lead
Tiffany Marcelle, Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN)
Markus Giger, Switzerland
Polao Ishmael Moepi, Lesotho
A view of the room during the Committee on Science and Technology session
Murat Temirzhanov, Kazakhstan
Jorge Emilio Salaverri Henríquez, Honduras
Darron Vaughn Williams, Grenada
Contact Groups
The COW Contact Group on other matters
The CRIC Contact Group
The CST Contact Group
Between Sessions
Around the Venue
