Saudi Arabia Calls for Active Participation in UNCCD COP16

The 25th meeting of the Technical Committee for Environment of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environment was held here today. The meeting aimed to prepare for the 60th meeting of the Executive Bureau on October 16, and the 35th session of the Council which will be held on October 17, 2024. Assistant Deputy Minister for International Affairs and Climate of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdu AlSharief chaired the meeting, bringing together representatives from Arab countries, regional and international organizations, and civil society. He emphasized the critical of the topics on the agenda, stressing the need for Arab coordination and cooperation in environmental matters to strengthen their position on the global stage. AlSharief also extended an invitation to countries and international organizations to actively participate in the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which Saudi Arabia will host in December. The committee discussed a range of topics, including the Arab position on agreements related to combating desertification and biodiversity, cooperation with the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats, and preparations for UNCCD COP16. The meeting addressed the challenges and potential solutions to the environmental issues facing some Arab countries affected by crises and disasters. Source: Saudi Press Agency