As part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to address the global impact of drought, the Kingdom, alongside its partners, has launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership at the opening of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
In collaboration with the UNCCD, countries, international organisations, and other stakeholders, this initiative aims to transform how drought is managed worldwide.
By harnessing the collective power of major global institutions, the partnership will move drought management beyond reactive crisis response, focusing on enhancing early warning systems, financing, vulnerability assessments, and drought risk mitigation.
Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, said, “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness. We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”
Dr. Faqeeha added, “We are calling on countries, companies, organisations, scientists, NGOs, financial institutions and communities to join this pivotal partnership and become part of a global movement to build a drought-resilient future. This is an environmental and economic imperative; it is far more cost-effective to take a proactive approach to drought resilience than a reactive one. Together, we can slow and reverse the devastating impact of drought. As an international community, we have the tools to take decisive action, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will help ensure we do.”
The partnership will be operated by a permanent office, overseen by contributing members, that will connect vulnerable countries and communities with existing resources while coordinating with ongoing initiatives for greater impact.
Additionally, the Riyadh Partnership will focus on unlocking new funding mechanisms for drought resilience, including access to credit, equity financing, insurance, and grants. To ensure long-term success, Saudi Arabia will fund the Partnership office for at least 10 years.
Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary, commented, “While no nation is immune to drought, 85% of the people impacted by it live in low- and middle-income countries. In a globalized world, it is our collective responsibility, and our shared interest, to liberate everybody, everywhere, from the worst impacts of drought. I trust the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership will play an important role in mobilizing finance and political will for a more resilient future.”
