Context:
UN-Sponsored COP16 Meeting on Desertification: Towards Global Approach
Highlights:
- The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is convened every two years to debate issues concerning land.
- The necessity of introducing global mechanisms as recognized by all countries has shifted to a proactive approach for preventive efforts as opposed to a reactive approach.
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- International legally binding treaty aimed at protecting and restoring land while reducing the impacts of drought.
- Adopted in 1994 and one of the three Rio Conventions.
- Main purposes:
- to enhance living standards in drylands, retain land and soil productivity, reduce drought impacts, and promote local participation.
- Has 197 Parties, which consist of 196 countries and the European Union.
- The COP serves as the supreme decision-making body.
- COP16, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Also read: COP29: Takeaways and Stand of Ind
