UN Talks End Without Drought Agreement

The COP16 meeting of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh failed to produce a binding agreement on drought resilience despite intense negotiations among nearly 200 nations. African countries advocated for a legally binding protocol to address drought preparedness, while developed nations preferred a less stringent framework, leading to a stalemate. Although no consensus was reached, significant progress was made towards establishing a global drought regime, which is expected to be finalized at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the International Drought Resilience Observatory and the Riyadh Global Partnership, aimed at mobilizing over $2 billion in funding for drought-affected countries. Reports indicated that droughts cost the global economy more than $300 billion annually and affect a rapidly increasing population, with projections indicating 75% could be impacted by 2050. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized the need for more time to reach an effective agreement and highlighted the urgent connection between drought and broader environmental issues.