This was during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), held in Riyadh from 2 to 13 December, where the Regional Commission organized a series of side events and actively contributed to others.
In its participation, ESCWA focused on water, energy, land, and food security, addressing the region's unique environmental challenges. Discussions covered sustainable land and water management, urban resilience, and transforming food systems. Innovative solutions such as urban forestry, rainwater harvesting, and nature-based approaches were highlighted to combat land degradation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate water insecurity and urban flooding.
ESCWA also examined the impact of conflicts on land degradation, emphasizing climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and cross-regional collaboration.
A key contribution by ESCWA during the conference was facilitating dialogues on sand and dust storm mitigation (SDS) through its Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies (ACCCP). The initiative, conducted in partnership with the ESCAP Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) and supported by Sweden, was preceded by the formal handover of the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms leadership from FAO to ESCWA. Those discussions brought together diverse stakeholders to explore solutions such as enhancing SDS forecasting, safeguarding public health, and integrating SDS response measures into national policies.
