RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s capital will host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, or COP16, in December. The event will be held between Dec. 2-13 in Riyadh, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the convention. “COP16 will be a landmark event for accelerating action on land and drought resilience and a gamechanger for the green transition in Saudi Arabia, the region and beyond,” the UNCCD said in a statement on its website. In preparation for what is deemed the largest UN environmental event focused on desertification, Saudi Arabia has laid out its vision for sustainable environmental solutions, focusing on combating the problem at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. At an event being held from July 8-18 in New York, the Saudi delegation participated in key sessions addressing economic, social, political, and environmental issues which directly impacted sustainable development. The delegation highlighted Saudi Arabias initiatives and legislative efforts aimed at environmental protection, which have significantly influenced cities and villages across the Kingdom. An exhibition at the UN headquarters showcased Saudi Arabia’s preparations for hosting the 11-day UNCCD COP16 event. The delegation included representatives from 18 Saudi government entities and engaged in bilateral meetings, public discussions and key sessions with ministers from various countries. It also provided detailed insights into sustainable land management, and discussed the negative impacts of land degradation on the global economy, food security, climate change and water scarcity.