Desertification COP16: using agroecology and pastoralism to fight land degradation

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is bringing to a close a year that has seen several rounds of international talks, with the 29th COP of the Framework Convention on Climate Change (CCNUCC) and the 16th COP of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the UNCCD, and the chosen theme is "Our Land. Our future".

Saudi Arabia, the host country, has high hopes for this COP, in terms of both the number of participants, with 20 000 people expected, or twice as many as in Abidjan, and its content and the desire to replicate what has been done at the Climate COP with a zone given over to civil society. 

"This COP is aiming to accelerate the restoration of degraded lands between now and 2030. Two new decisions are eagerly awaited: one on resilience to drought and the other on the inclusion of the issue of food systems in the fight against land degradation",  Jean-Daniel Cesaro, a CIRAD geographer who will be at the COP, explains.

Along with the Comité Scientifique Français de la Désertification (CSFD), CIRAD is calling for better articulation of governance systems and structures for sharing knowledge of the issues surrounding land management, biodiversity, climate, and food and water security, on an international, national and local level (read more).

"We shall be presenting innovative solutions for restoring degraded land and supporting local communities. Two of those solutions - agroecology and pastoralism - are crucial to fighting desertification, which is being exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Our objective is to promote these sustainable land management practices a way of achieving neutrality in terms of land degradation", Jean-Daniel Cesaro adds.

The main topics to be addressed include:
•  agroecology as a way of fighting drought in arid zones, 
•  pastoral development programmes for community restoration of rangelands (Nouakchott+10 declaration),
•  equity within the framework of the Great Green Wall initiative, 
•  sustainable business models for food production and value chains,
•  inclusive digital technologies for farmers.

There will be several key interventions during agrifood system day (5 December) and people's day (7 December).