In a joint statement, the leaders of BRICS nations highlighted the urgency to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the UNCCD COP16 conference, these leaders emphasized the need for increased resources and stronger partnerships to address these environmental issues. The conference will feature the first-ever Green Zone to promote collaboration and innovation in land restoration efforts, with the aim of addressing the root causes of global food and water insecurity. This call for action comes amid current statistics that show 40% of the planet is affected by land degradation and 3.2 billion people are impacted globally.
Combatting Land Degradation: BRICS Nations and Saudi Arabia's Role
Introduction
Land degradation, desertification, and drought pose significant threats to global sustainability and human well-being. In response to these pressing issues, BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) joined forces in a joint statement to highlight the urgency of addressing these environmental concerns. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the upcoming UNCCD COP16 conference, the focus on these issues takes center stage.
Background
Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality of land due to human activities or natural processes. Desertification is a specific form of land degradation that converts fertile land into barren deserts, often caused by climate change and unsustainable land management practices. Drought, on the other hand, is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall that can have devastating effects on ecosystems and human populations.
BRICS Joint Statement
In a joint statement, BRICS leaders emphasized the need for increased resources and stronger partnerships to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought. They highlighted that these issues affect billions of people worldwide and pose significant risks to global food and water security.
Saudi Arabia's Role
Saudi Arabia, as the host of the upcoming UNCCD COP16 conference, will play a crucial role in shaping the global agenda on these environmental issues. The conference will feature the first-ever Green Zone to foster collaboration and innovation in land restoration efforts.
The Green Zone
The Green Zone at the UNCCD COP16 conference will serve as a platform to:
Addressing the Root Causes
The conference aims to address the root causes of land degradation, desertification, and drought, including:
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