Únase a nosotros en la COP16 para explorar cómo las innovaciones del ¨CGIAR¨ abordan desafíos críticos como:
-Combatir la desertificación restaurando tierras degradadas y aumentando su capacidad para absorber emisiones de carbono;
-Mejorar la eficiencia del agua para optimizar el uso de los recursos en regiones áridas y semiáridas;
-Apoyar la seguridad alimentaria y la adaptación al clima mediante la intensificación sostenible en las tierras cultivables existentes;

A través de estas sesiones, el CGIAR mostrará el poder de la investigación, la ciencia y las alianzas para construir un futuro resiliente, en particular para las comunidades más vulnerables a los impactos climáticos. Esta es una oportunidad vital para interactuar con líderes de opinión, compartir ideas y explorar soluciones viables que se puedan implementar a nivel mundial.

El enlace de registro es: https://events.cgiar.org/desertificationcop16?crmid=sliu@unccd.int&hem=…
Después de registrarse, puede encontrar el programa detallado.

Join us at COP16 to explore how CGIAR’s innovations address critical challenges such as:

Combatting desertification by restoring degraded land and increasing its capacity to absorb carbon emissions.
Enhancing water efficiency to optimize resource use in arid and semi-arid regions.
Supporting food security and climate adaptation through sustainable intensification on existing arable land.
Through these sessions, CGIAR will showcase the power of research, science, and partnerships to build a resilient future, particularly for the communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. This is a vital opportunity to engage with thought leaders, share insights, and explore actionable solutions that can be implemented globally.

The registration link is: https://events.cgiar.org/desertificationcop16?crmid=sliu@unccd.int&hem=…
It seems that only after registration, you can find the detailed programme.

What value does water have to Tanzania’s economy?

Original source is GWP, web link here: https://www.gwp.org/en/About/more/news/2024/what-value-does-water-have-…

Have you ever wondered about the economic value of water to a country? The Ministry of Water of Tanzania, the Wami Ruvu Basin Water Board and GWP, with support from the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme, have provided a preliminary answer to that question for Tanzania: 3.31%, in just three sectors.
The results of this detailed analysis were launched at a high-level hybrid event on 31 October 2024, connecting dozens of interested stakeholders in the Ministry of Water, in Dodoma, with many more online participants.

Held upon invitation from the Minister of Water of Tanzania, H.E. Jumaa Hamidu Aweso, and moderated by GWP’s CEO and Executive Secretary, Alan AtKisson, the event brought together panellists from the Ministry of Water, the Development Partners Group on WASH, FAO’s regional office for Africa, the Secretariat of the African Union Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) and the Valuing Water Initiative, to delve into the findings of the report.

Covering the value of water for three important sectors for Tanzania’s economy, namely agriculture, manufacturing and mining, the publication makes a strong case for why water is undervalued in financial terms compared to the significant economic value it brings to the country. Indeed, Dr George Lugomela, Director for Water Resources at the Ministry of Water, stated that this report is part of Tanzania’s efforts to introduce better water pricing mechanisms that reflect the true value of water, and hoped that the study could ultimately lead to better water financing models.

Shamiso Kumbirai, of GWP Southern Africa, and the Secretariat of the AIP, noted that Tanzania has been a leader in the continent on this topic, which is aligned with the findings of the International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, which is aiming to raise at least US$30 billion per year by 2030 to reach the water-related SDGs at the continental level. She highlighted that the economic value at risk from not investing in water normally dwarfs the actual budgetary allocation for water, highlighting that the value at risk is often not quantified.

In his closing remarks, Joakim Harlin, representing the United Nations Environment Programme, congratulated Tanzania on its efforts to put an economic value on water, but also encouraged stakeholders to look beyond the economic value of water, considering the different values that water brings to stakeholders, including for freshwater ecosystems, who are a stakeholder often without a voice. He stated the support of UNEP and of the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme to Tanzania for the next steps in this journey, and to other countries interested in replicating this experience.

Enhancing Urban Climate Action Ambition through Multilevel Governance
12 Nov 2024 | Baku, Azerbaijan

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), in partnership with the Southern Denmark University, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Italy), the University of Sheffield (UK), and the Ministries of Environment of Sri Lanka and Estonia (Parties to COP), organized an official COP29 side event titled “Enhancing Urban Climate Action Ambition through Multilevel Governance” on 12 November 2024 from 18:30 to 20:00 hours. This event underscored the significance of multilateral governance in accelerating climate actions to mitigate disaster risks and boost urban resilience. Dr. Senaka Basnayake, Chief, Climate Resilience of ADPC emphasized the need for regional drought risk management strategies to support national initiatives. He highlighted the role of such strategies in helping urban authorities promote climate actions like water conservation, WASH improvements, green infrastructure expansion, and risk-informed urban planning. He also announced that ADPC, in partnership with UNCCD, will launch a regional drought risk management strategy for South Asia at the UNCCD COP16 in December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Full news: https://www.adpc.net/igo/contents/Media/media-news.asp?pid=1981

Societal drought vulnerability and the Syrian climate-conflict nexus are better explained by agriculture than meteorology

This is an interesting research article exploring the relationship between drought and peace/violence based on evidence from Syria.
Full text: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-022-00405-w
Abstract: Droughts are often suspected to increase the risk of violent conflict through agricultural production shocks, and existing studies often explore these links through meteorological proxies. In Syria, an alleged agricultural collapse caused by drought is assumed to have contributed to increased migration and the conflict outbreak in 2011. Here we use satellite derived cropland and climate data to study land use dynamics in relation to drought and conflict in Syria. We show that claims of an agricultural collapse cannot be substantiated as croplands saw a fast recovery after the 2007–2009 drought. Our study highlights the importance of considering land-use dynamics for understanding linkages between meteorological droughts, agricultural impacts, migration and conflict. Furthermore, our results suggest that the influential drought-migration-conflict narrative for Syria needs to be reexamined, with implications for wider discussions of how climate change might alter conflict risk.

Ecuador declares 60-day state of emergency to help battle wildfires

Original source:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/18/ecuador-declares-60-day-state…

Ecuador has declared a 60-day state of emergency as the South American country has been hit by a severe drought and record wildfires that have razed large swaths of territory over the past weeks.

The Ecuadorian Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR), the country’s emergency management agency, said in a statement on Monday that the state of emergency was declared “due to forest fires, water deficit and drought”.

I personally think that, forest fires, water deficit, and drought, are highly interrelated with each other. This actually calls for a more interdisciplinary and cross-ministry perspective to approach drought related disaster risk reduction.

AGROBIOTEK-INGENIERIE will be present at COP 16 in the green zone to present its innovative technologies for drought control and restoration of desert lands. We will also share our projects in Africa, aimed at building food and energy self-sufficiency in the most remote villages.

AGROBIOTEK-INGENIERIE will be present at COP 16 in the green zone to present its innovative technologies for drought control and restoration of desert lands. We will also share our projects in Africa, aimed at building food and energy self-sufficiency in the most remote villages.

cross-posted from UNCCD website
https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/stories/agfund-and-unccd-join-forces…

AGFUND and UNCCD join forces to elevate youth leadership ahead of COP16

The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) and UNCCD have established a partnership to launch the "Road to Riyadh and the youth: Elevating land and drought issues on the global agenda" initiative to strengthen youth engagement in tackling critical environmental challenges ahead of UNCCD COP16.

Accounting for more than 40 per cent of the global population, the 1.7 billion young people under the age of 25 represent a powerful force for change. As the global environmental crises grow more urgent, youth leadership in driving sustainable solutions is not just evident – it is crucial for securing the future of our planet. Young people are emerging as key advocates in global efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices. Through their passion, innovation and drive, youth can play a vital role in shaping the sustainable development agenda and collaborating with key stakeholders, including governments, to address issues, such as land degradation and drought.

In alignment with the UNCCD Youth Engagement Strategy (YES), young leaders will convene in Riyadh from 5 to 7 December 2024 for a Youth Forum, held in parallel with COP16. During this gathering, participants will present recommendations on how young people can play a meaningful role in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality. The conference will also explore opportunities for the creation of green and fulfilling land-based employment, and will identify the challenges that young people are facing due to desertification, land degradation and drought.

As the first-ever UNCCD Conference of the Parties is set to take place in the Middle East and North Africa region this December, the project will work to engage youth in the broader discussions and processes of the Convention. It will also contribute to the continued implementation of the YES strategy to ensure robust youth participation in global environmental efforts.

The project aims to raise awareness of the importance of combating desertification, land degradation and drought, while upscaling youth involvement in UNCCD implementation. A Youth Declaration, embodying their perspectives and solutions, will be presented at COP16 during a high-level event organized on Peoples’ Day, further solidifying youth engagement in global environmental governance. The initiative also supports ongoing efforts to foster active youth participation in achieving broader national and international sustainability goals, such as the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

This joint initiative of AGFUND and UNCCD underscores a shared vision: positioning young people at the forefront of environmental action. By empowering them as pivotal actors in the fight against desertification, the partnership aims to harness their potential to shape a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.

About AGFUND

The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) is a regional entity founded in 1980 through the initiative of the late His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, with the support of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The primary objective of AGFUND is to tackle the fundamental issues related to human development, focusing on all societal segments without discrimination. AGFUND has founded five distinct organizations dedicated to development, which include the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, the Arab Women Center for Training and Research, Financial Inclusion Banks, the Arab Open University, and the Arab Network for NGOs. AGFUND collaborates with over 450 international, regional, and governmental organizations to facilitate and support various development projects.

About UNCCD

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. 

For more information, please contact:

UNCCD: press@unccd.int | AGFUND: prmedia@agfund.org