emirates7 - The UAE concluded its participation in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) by emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in developing practical solutions to combat desertification and address drought. The UAE also stressed the need for active participation from all community groups, particularly enhancing the role of women in sustainable global land management.
Held in Riyadh from December 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 focused on strategies to transform land degradation into renewal. The UNCCD serves as a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to address environmental challenges and shape a sustainable future for land use.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the UAE delegation and highlighted the country's commitment to sustainability under its visionary leadership. She praised the UAE's pioneering initiatives, which have positively impacted communities worldwide.
“COP16 marked a significant milestone in the UAE’s efforts to tackle global drought and land degradation,” Dr. Al Dahak stated. “Through innovative contributions to global efforts, the UAE has strengthened sustainable agriculture and food systems and developed solutions to the global water crisis, such as the ‘Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative.’”
She acknowledged the collaboration of Emirati work teams from various national authorities, which demonstrated the UAE’s unified approach to addressing challenges such as sustainable water management, innovation-driven agriculture, and maximizing natural resource utilization. She also thanked the UAE delegation for their dedication to advancing sustainability and reinforcing the UAE's leadership in this domain.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, participated in a session titled “Strengthening the Environmental Dimension of Food Systems Amid a Polycrisis in the Arab Region.” He highlighted water scarcity as a major challenge for the Arab world, which relies heavily on limited freshwater resources for agriculture.
Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of investing in climate-smart land solutions to enhance climate resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change. He emphasized regional cooperation, advanced technologies, and effective resource management to address these challenges. Al Nuaimi also underscored the role of agri-food systems in the climate action agenda during the UAE’s Presidency of COP28, which prioritized sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.
The COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, endorsed by 160 nations, highlights the need to integrate food systems, agriculture, and climate goals to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives. He also mentioned initiatives such as the ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Programme, aimed at empowering local communities to achieve food security through sustainable agricultural practices, and the ‘National Agriculture Centre,’ focused on advancing research in agricultural technologies.
Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, participated in the session “High Level Interactive Dialogue of the Gender Caucus: HerLand: Women's Leadership on Sustainable Land Management.” She reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to gender equality in addressing climate change and land sustainability challenges.
Al Shehhi highlighted that while climate change impacts both genders equally, it presents an opportunity to strengthen efforts against desertification, drought, and land degradation by empowering women and leveraging their expertise. She noted the underrepresentation of women in agriculture, despite their significant contribution, owning less than one-fifth of global agricultural land.
She showcased UAE-led initiatives to empower women in agriculture, such as the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women’s collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to support refugees in Uganda. She emphasized the role of women in driving innovative solutions and shaping policies for climate resilience and land restoration.
Additionally, Al Shehhi participated in a session titled “Multilateral Environmental Agreements Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance: Insights from the Bern III Conference.” She emphasized the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, calling for comprehensive strategies to address these crises.
She discussed the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), launched by the UAE in partnership with Indonesia, which promotes mangrove planting as a natural carbon sink and biodiversity preservation tool. She also highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed - Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre in Indonesia, dedicated to advancing global mangrove research and innovation.
Al Shehhi concluded by stressing the importance of aligning national policies with international frameworks, such as the UNCCD, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure effective and coherent strategies. She underscored the role of policy tools in fostering collaboration across diverse sectors.
Held in Riyadh from December 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” COP16 focused on strategies to transform land degradation into renewal. The UNCCD serves as a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to address environmental challenges and shape a sustainable future for land use.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led the UAE delegation and highlighted the country's commitment to sustainability under its visionary leadership. She praised the UAE's pioneering initiatives, which have positively impacted communities worldwide.
“COP16 marked a significant milestone in the UAE’s efforts to tackle global drought and land degradation,” Dr. Al Dahak stated. “Through innovative contributions to global efforts, the UAE has strengthened sustainable agriculture and food systems and developed solutions to the global water crisis, such as the ‘Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative.’”
She acknowledged the collaboration of Emirati work teams from various national authorities, which demonstrated the UAE’s unified approach to addressing challenges such as sustainable water management, innovation-driven agriculture, and maximizing natural resource utilization. She also thanked the UAE delegation for their dedication to advancing sustainability and reinforcing the UAE's leadership in this domain.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, participated in a session titled “Strengthening the Environmental Dimension of Food Systems Amid a Polycrisis in the Arab Region.” He highlighted water scarcity as a major challenge for the Arab world, which relies heavily on limited freshwater resources for agriculture.
Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of investing in climate-smart land solutions to enhance climate resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change. He emphasized regional cooperation, advanced technologies, and effective resource management to address these challenges. Al Nuaimi also underscored the role of agri-food systems in the climate action agenda during the UAE’s Presidency of COP28, which prioritized sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.
The COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, endorsed by 160 nations, highlights the need to integrate food systems, agriculture, and climate goals to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives. He also mentioned initiatives such as the ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Programme, aimed at empowering local communities to achieve food security through sustainable agricultural practices, and the ‘National Agriculture Centre,’ focused on advancing research in agricultural technologies.
Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, participated in the session “High Level Interactive Dialogue of the Gender Caucus: HerLand: Women's Leadership on Sustainable Land Management.” She reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to gender equality in addressing climate change and land sustainability challenges.
Al Shehhi highlighted that while climate change impacts both genders equally, it presents an opportunity to strengthen efforts against desertification, drought, and land degradation by empowering women and leveraging their expertise. She noted the underrepresentation of women in agriculture, despite their significant contribution, owning less than one-fifth of global agricultural land.
She showcased UAE-led initiatives to empower women in agriculture, such as the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women’s collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to support refugees in Uganda. She emphasized the role of women in driving innovative solutions and shaping policies for climate resilience and land restoration.
Additionally, Al Shehhi participated in a session titled “Multilateral Environmental Agreements Synergies for Strengthened Environmental Governance: Insights from the Bern III Conference.” She emphasized the interconnected nature of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, calling for comprehensive strategies to address these crises.
She discussed the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), launched by the UAE in partnership with Indonesia, which promotes mangrove planting as a natural carbon sink and biodiversity preservation tool. She also highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed - Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre in Indonesia, dedicated to advancing global mangrove research and innovation.
Al Shehhi concluded by stressing the importance of aligning national policies with international frameworks, such as the UNCCD, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure effective and coherent strategies. She underscored the role of policy tools in fostering collaboration across diverse sectors.