Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is gearing up for a historic moment as it hosts the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. With the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” this event not only coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD but also promises to be the largest and most ambitious UN land conference ever held.

For the first time in its history, COP16 is being hosted in the Middle East...