UN-Habitat calls for integrated urban-rural approaches to fight land degradation at COP16

Riyadh, 13 December 2024 — At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), UN-Habitat underlined its commitment to tackling the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation, and water scarcity. The agency spotlighted the vital role of local governments and unveiled the Primer on Urban-Rural Linkages and Land as a resource to promote sustainable solutions through integrated approaches.

Local governments at the forefront

Speaking via video at the Mayor’s Forum on Governance Day, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach highlighted the crucial role of local governments in addressing land degradation, food insecurity, and climate change. “Local governments are the first responders to challenges like land degradation, food insecurity and climate change,” she said. Introducing the primer – a joint initiative with UNCCD – Ms. Rossbach described it as a tool to enhance urban-rural synergies and embed sustainable land-use practices. She also emphasized the agency’s focus on improving tenure security, housing, and basic services for the most vulnerable communities grappling with land degradation and water scarcity.

Riyadh Action Agenda: A collaborative milestone

The Riyadh Action Agenda, launched by Saudi Arabia’s COP16 Presidency, provides a framework for engaging stakeholders in addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought. Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Environment, Osama Faqeeha, stressed the importance of sustained action, stating: “We must continue mobilizing action beyond COP16 to leave a lasting legacy of global change.”

UN-Habitat welcomed the Agenda’s inclusive approach and reiterated its commitment to fostering collaborative governance. The agency emphasized its work with local and regional governments on addressing tenure security, managing water resources, and mitigating the impacts of dust and sandstorms – all critical to building resilience in communities vulnerable to displacement and conflict.

Addressing water scarcity through partnerships

Water management was a key focus at COP16, with UN-Habitat highlighting the importance of partnerships to strengthen the capacity of local water operators. During the “Better Together” side event, the agency showcased its Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance (GWOPA) , which promotes equitable and sustainable water access. Discussions also explored innovative solutions such as wastewater reuse and nature-based approaches to restore degraded lands and enhance community resilience.

The growing impact of aridity

The urgency of addressing desertification was underscored by a new UNCCD report , which revealed that 77 percent of the world’s land experienced drier conditions between 1990 and 2020, with drylands expanding by 4.3 million km². If unaddressed, these trends could jeopardize food security for billions by 2050.

UN-Habitat’s Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) is working to tackle these challenges by advancing land tenure security through inclusive governance frameworks. The network integrates tools such as gender-disaggregated data and supports formal, communal, and customary land tenure arrangements to promote sustainable urban development and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.

Partnerships driving sustainable solutions

Throughout COP16, the importance of integrated land-use planning, tenure security, and gender equity in addressing desertification and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 11 was emphasized.

As Ms. Rossbach concluded: “This forum is an opportunity to innovate and share successes. Together, we can deliver sustainable solutions that benefit people and the planet.”