وكيل البيئة السعودي لـ«الوطن»: «كوب 16» الرياض يعزز حضور البحرين دولياً في الاستدامة البيئية

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency in Riyadh, Dr. Osama Faqiha said that the sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which Riyadh will host tomorrow, provides the opportunity for the Kingdom of Bahrain to benefit from the regional solutions and initiatives that will be put forward, which will enhance its environmental security and ensure the sustainability of its natural resources for future generations.

He added, in an exclusive interview with Al-Watan, that Bahrain’s participation in the conference represents a valuable opportunity for it to reach strategic partnerships to develop local solutions to address the challenges of land degradation and scarcity of water resources, explaining that it is a favorable opportunity for it to enhance its presence in the regional and international scene in the field of environmental sustainability. .

Fakiha pointed out that “COP16” Riyadh is an exceptional event and a pivotal moment at the global level for several reasons: It represents an opportunity to reset the current path of land degradation, and shape a world in which the land supports future generations, pointing out at the same time that this event will contribute to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a link between developing and developed countries to confront land degradation and desertification. The Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency in Riyadh stressed that the conference is an opportunity to enhance the world’s understanding of the challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought, especially since we expect the submission of studies and reports from prestigious international research bodies that shed light on the devastating impact of these phenomena. Below is the text of the dialogue:

What makes COP16 Riyadh an exceptional global event? How does Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the event reflect its commitment to land degradation issues?

– “COP16” Riyadh is an exceptional event and a pivotal moment at the global level for several reasons: It represents an opportunity to reset the current trajectory of land degradation, shape a world in which the Earth supports future generations, and is the strongest ever global call to action to take a proactive stance to mitigate the continuing impact of drought, land degradation and desertification.

This is the first time that this conference has been held in our region, and it is considered the largest international event hosted by the Kingdom. In order to allow the participation of all groups and give it a general public character, we have created the Green Zone, which allows all groups to present their visions, projects and ideas, in addition to spreading awareness among everyone regarding these issues.

The conference is based on ambitious goals that it seeks to achieve, at the forefront of which is strengthening international cooperation to confront the challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought, and searching for innovative and sustainable solutions to confront them.

The conference also focuses on activating the commitments announced in previous sessions, specifically the rehabilitation of 1.5 billion hectares of degraded lands by 2030.

Achieving this goal is considered an urgent necessity to reduce the effects of land degradation and desertification on the environment, water and food security, and climate change, taking into account the specificities of the regions most affected by these challenges, such as the Middle East and North Africa and the Sahel and Sahara regions of Africa.

Strengthening the partnership between the private government sectors and civil society is one of the main objectives of the conference, to make it a comprehensive platform for positive impact at the regional and global levels. Our hosting of the conference is also a reflection of the Kingdom’s firm commitment to these issues and its pioneering role regionally and internationally.

Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed environmental sustainability issues among its most important priorities through the Kingdom’s adoption of the National Environment Strategy, its establishment of an environment fund and five specialized environmental centers, and the launch of giant initiatives such as the “Saudi Green Initiative,” the “Green Middle East Initiative,” and global initiatives under the umbrella of the G20. .

Therefore, inviting the world to participate in this event represents an extension of the Kingdom’s interest in protecting the environment and its pioneering role at the regional and international levels and a strategic step to highlight the challenges and effects resulting from land degradation and drought on the entire world.

In addition to all of the above, the event will contribute to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a link between developing and developed countries to confront land degradation and desertification and its effects, and direct the dialogue towards finding practical and comprehensive solutions to land degradation and drought, and activating the roles of all parties, to enable the most affected countries to confront these challenges, so let us make From “COP16”, Riyadh is a pioneering model of global commitment in confronting this urgent crisis.

What are the most pressing environmental issues to be on the table?

The most pressing environmental and social issues that will be on the table for discussion include challenges related to desertification, land degradation and drought, as they pose serious threats to societies around the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.

These issues and their impacts on environmental and agricultural systems, food and water security, people’s stability, and livelihoods in poor and rural communities will also be addressed. Therefore, the social aspect will receive great attention, by focusing on the role of local communities, and enabling the most affected groups, such as women and youth, to play a pivotal role in finding solutions.

The conference allocated topics and sessions focusing on research, innovation, financing, the role of the private sector, sustainable land management, sustainable agriculture techniques, sustainable management of water sources, the role of communities and non-profit institutions, and other topics. Hundreds of seminars will be organized, research papers and presentations from experts and specialists will be presented, in addition to a review of successful initiatives globally. And exchange expertise and experiences to address these issues.

Many parties will display modern technologies that help enhance capabilities to address these phenomena, such as nature-based solutions and reforestation projects in sustainable ways. The sessions will include in-depth discussions on the policies that must be followed to reduce the effects of these phenomena, and encourage cooperation between countries to provide the necessary resources.

In addition, the conference will witness the organization of workshops and interactive sessions bringing together decision-makers and representatives of the private sector and civil society, with a focus on reviewing the challenges and developing specialized strategies to support communities suffering from these crises. The ultimate goal is to transform discussions into concrete action plans, supported by long-term financial and technical commitments, to achieve sustainable positive impact at the regional and international levels.

What messages do you hope to convey through the conference? How will it reflect positively on the region in general, and Bahrain in particular?

– The Kingdom seeks to deliver basic messages to the world regarding the grave challenges associated with land degradation, desertification and drought, while emphasizing that they are not just issues that affect regions and countries alone, but rather they are threats that directly affect food and water security and economic development for the entire world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Such as the Middle East region.

By hosting the conference, it hopes to motivate all parties to provide practical models and comprehensive and sustainable solutions to confront it, while focusing on a very important issue, which is that the crisis requires regional and international cooperation to achieve the desired results, and that no party can achieve this goal, no matter how much tools and capabilities it possesses.

The Kingdom will affirm its commitment to confronting these phenomena, and presenting the exceptional case studies that it has begun to implement, the most prominent of which is the “Saudi Green Initiative,” which aims to restore degraded lands and increase green spaces in a way that supports the environment and the economy at the same time, with its full readiness to provide its expertise and cooperation with countries in the region and the world. .

The conference will be an opportunity to enhance the world’s understanding of the challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought, especially since we expect the submission of studies and reports from prestigious international research bodies that highlight the devastating impact of these phenomena, especially in the Middle East, due to their huge role in the loss of biodiversity, the decline in agricultural production, and the high rate of migration. coercive.

There will be specialized sessions that will address practical solutions to confront these challenges, such as land rehabilitation, developing innovative irrigation techniques, and cultivating drought-resistant plants. The conference will highlight the need to develop development policies that take into account the needs of affected areas and enhance their sustainability. The conference will be beneficial to the world in general and the region in particular.

At the level of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the conference will allow the relevant institutions to benefit from the regional solutions and initiatives that will be presented, such as improving the management of natural resources and reducing the effects of drought on agricultural lands.

Therefore, Bahrain will be able to strengthen its capabilities to address land degradation by participating in joint projects that support the sustainability of land and water resources. This regional cooperation will enhance environmental security in Bahrain and ensure the sustainability of its natural resources for future generations.

What benefits can Saudi Arabia gain from organizing this event? And also the expected opportunities for the region and Bahrain?

It is certain that the Kingdom’s organization of the Conference of the Parties “COP16” in Riyadh will bring many benefits at the local and international levels. At the local level, this event strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a pioneering country in addressing the challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought, and also supports its ambitious vision for achieving sustainable development. The conference provides a platform for presenting the Kingdom’s initiatives, such as the “Green Saudi Initiative” and the “Green Middle East,” which contributes to attracting international investments and exchanging modern technologies related to restoring land fertility and managing natural resources.

In addition, organizing the conference demonstrates the Kingdom’s ability to host major global events, thus enhancing its international standing and increasing the international community’s confidence in its positive contributions.

At the regional level, the results of the conference will reflect positively on the countries of the Middle East in general, through strengthening regional cooperation and developing joint strategies to address critical environmental issues.

The region can benefit from the initiatives and recommendations that will be issued by the summit, especially since they will include practical solutions to improve land sustainability and rehabilitation, which will enhance food and water security in the region. On the other hand, focusing on technical innovations and exchanging experiences between countries will enhance the institutional and technological capabilities of countries in the region in facing these challenges.

Bahrain’s participation represents a valuable opportunity for it to benefit from the experiences and initiatives that will be presented during the conference, in addition to reaching strategic partnerships to develop local solutions to address the challenges of land degradation and scarcity of water resources.

The conference also provides it with the opportunity to enhance its presence in the regional and international scene in the field of environmental sustainability, in addition to the possibility of benefiting from technical support for the environmental projects that will emerge from the conference. Since the event encourages regional and global cooperation, it will provide them with an opportunity to support their environmental sustainability, thus strengthening their economy in the long term.

Are there specific initiatives that will be announced during the conference?

One of the most important goals pursued by the conferences of the parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in general is to enhance regional and international cooperation in this field, especially since each session provides a platform that brings together governments, international organizations, experts and decision-makers from all over the world.

We believe that hosting the conference in the Kingdom will provide an opportunity for our countries in the region to exchange experiences and knowledge with countries and academic and research institutions that will present their latest successes. As countries most affected by land degradation and drought, we need to coordinate our efforts to address common environmental issues.

The conference will highlight the importance of regional cooperation by launching partnerships and projects aimed at restoring degraded lands, improving natural resource management, and developing sustainable agricultural and water policies. The Kingdom is proud of its leadership in this field through cooperation at the bilateral level with many countries, and putting forward many proactive initiatives that benefit the countries of the region and all of humanity.

As usual in previous sessions, the conference will witness the announcement of pioneering initiatives that enhance this cooperation, including joint projects to rehabilitate degraded lands, increase vegetation cover by planting trees capable of adapting to environmental conditions in the region, and financing programs to support countries severely affected by Desertification and drought.

The initiatives as a whole focus on supporting research and development in the areas of sustainable agriculture, and encouraging the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and drones, to monitor and manage land.

Since we believe that cooperation is not an option, but rather an inevitable necessity to achieve a positive, sustainable impact, we hope that this event will contribute to establishing a framework to enhance continued cooperation between countries to confront these challenges, provide platforms for exchanging data and periodic reports on the status of lands and natural resources, and formulate joint implementation plans. It is concerned with achieving goals that may save the Earth from imminent threats.