What's happened
The COP16 talks in Riyadh concluded without a binding agreement on drought response, despite alarming reports on global land degradation. Nations postponed decisions to the next summit in 2026, while pledges of $12.15 billion were made to support vulnerable countries facing worsening drought conditions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Japan Times reported that COP16 concluded with significant progress but no binding agreement, emphasizing the need for further discussions at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026. The Independent highlighted the urgency of addressing drought, noting that nearly five billion people could be affected by drying lands by the century's end. AP News echoed these concerns, stating that the lack of a binding protocol could stall effective responses to drought. The Guardian pointed out that the talks were overshadowed by Saudi Arabia's controversial role in previous climate negotiations, raising questions about its commitment to genuine climate action.
How we got here
The COP16 meeting aimed to address the urgent issue of drought and desertification, exacerbated by climate change. Previous global talks have struggled to reach consensus on binding agreements, highlighting the challenges of international cooperation in environmental policy.
Common question
-
What Were the Main Outcomes of COP16?
The COP16 talks in Riyadh have concluded, leaving many questions about the future of climate action. While significant pledges were made, the absence of a binding agreement on drought response raises concerns about the effectiveness of global initiatives. Here’s a closer look at the outcomes and what they mean for vulnerable countries and future climate negotiations.
-
What are the key outcomes of COP16 for drought response?
The COP16 climate talks in Riyadh have concluded, leaving many questions about the future of drought response and land degradation. While significant financial pledges were made, the lack of a binding agreement raises concerns about the effectiveness of international cooperation. Here are some key questions and answers regarding the outcomes of COP16 and what we can expect moving forward.
More on these topics
-
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
-
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
-
Ibrahim Thiaw is a Mauritianian public servant who has been serving as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification since 2019.
-
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, the country is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the
-
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, A
-
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area.
-
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia. Its area is roughly equivalent with the historical territory of Outer Mongolia, and that term is sometimes used to refer to the current state.
-
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action pr