Morocco participates in Riyadh at the COP16 in the fight against desertification.

Morocco will participate in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), which will be held from 2 to 13 December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom will be represented at this event by a delegation led by the Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), Abderrahim Houmy, " said the Agency in a press release.

Morocco, represented by the ANEF, reaffirms its continued commitment to the preservation of ecosystems and the fight against desertification, adds the same source, indicating that this major event, under the theme "Our earth, our future," is a key milestone in international efforts to combat desertification and restore degraded land.

COP16 coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions, alongside the ones on climate and biodiversity. This conference will take place for the first time in the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), an area particularly vulnerable to the impacts of desertification and drought.

This event will bring together the 197 parties to the Convention to promote concrete and innovative solutions to the growing threat of desertification intensified by the effects of climate change.

Over the past two decades, the drought has affected more than 1.5 billion people globally, resulting in economic losses estimated at 124 billion (UNDRR, 2021).

"Recognized for its active role in international forums related to environmental issues, Morocco is sharing this opportunity with its rich experience in the field of sustainable land management and combating desertification," emphasizes the ANEF, adding that under the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has initiated innovative strategies, including the strategy of "Forests of Morocco 2020-2030," designed to preserve the natural resources and to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable areas.

As a national focal point for the implementation of the UNCCD in Morocco, the ANEF has taken the necessary steps for the installation of a flag representing the Kingdom, which will serve as a platform to showcase the best practices and successes of Morocco in the field of combating desertification and drought management. In addition, a program of side events will be organized by the ANEF and its partners.

These meetings will help to shed light on domestic achievements, share best practices, and identify opportunities for regional and international cooperation, with particular attention being paid to the integration of the local communities, which is essential in the preservation efforts.

Through its participation at COP16, the ANEF reaffirms the commitment of Morocco in favor of strengthened international cooperation, which is essential to meet the challenges posed by desertification, the statement continues.

"The Kingdom calls for innovative financing mechanisms, technology transfer fairs, and the increased mobilization of stakeholders. These levers are essential to building a resilient, sustainable future and preserving the ecosystems for future generations, " says one.