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United Nations Environment Programme
  • Overview
  • Programme

This in-person event focused on preparations for the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), that will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024 UNCCD COP16. It addressed what is at stake and explored regional strategies to tackle desertification, land degradation, and drought. It also offered an opportunity to discuss anticipated outcomes and pressing issues for global action.

This event brought together key stakeholders to drive multilateral action for the global environmental agenda, and prompt a renewed commitment to accelerate investment and action in order to restore land and boost drought resilience for the benefit of people and planet.

The in-person event was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Brussels offices, the Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the EU, and the European Commission.

On the road to UNCCD COP16 – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2 to 13 December 2024) 

19 November 2024, UN House (Boulevard du Regent 37-40, Brussels)

Policy event co-hosted by UNEP, FAO, The Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the EU and the European Commission

15.15 – 15.30   Introductory remarks 

  • Ms Camilla BRÜCKNER Brückner, Representative of the UN System to the European 
  • H.E. Ms Haifa AL JEDEA.Ambassador and Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the European Union 

15.30 – 16.05   Session 1: What is at stake at UNCCD COP16 

Moderation: Ms Veronika Hunt Safrankova, Head of UNEP Brussels office

  • Dr Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Centre of Meteorology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Ms Susan Gardner, Director of Ecosystem Division, UNEP  
  • Prof Barron Joseph Orr, Chief Scientist, UNCCD 
  • Ms Cristina De Avila, Head of Unit Global Environmental Cooperation and Multilateralism, DG ENV, European Commission  
  • Q&A 

16.05 -16.20    Short break 

16.30 -16.40    Keynote Speech

  •  Ms Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General of DG Environment, European Commission 

16.40 – 17.15  Session 2: Regional strategies to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought

Moderation: Mr Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the European Union 

  • Lifeng Li, Director, Land and Water Division, FAO
  • H.E. Gilbêrt Van Lierop, Ambassador of Suriname in Brussels, Chair of OACPS Subcommittee on Sustainable Development
  • DG JRC: Andrea Toreti (Coordinator of the European and global drought observatory of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service at DG JRC)
  • Ms Chantal Marijnissen, Head of Unit of Environment, Sustainable Natural Resources, DG INTPA , European Commission
  • Q&A 

Closing remarks:                                                                                   

  • Mr Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium and Ms Veronika Hunt Safrankova, Head of UNEP Brussels office.

Carbon Emissions
Did you know?
1/5 of global black carbon emissions come from the transport sector.

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