WOCAT Participation at the UNCCD COP16

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December 2024, under the theme: “Our Land. Our Future.”

WOCAT, together with its partners and members, brought the expertise of its global network to the forefront. At the WOCAT UNCCD Pavilion, through engaging side events, during the CRIC plenary, and at the Gender Caucus, WOCAT contributed to the COP16 agenda with innovative sessions, trainings, and discussions, complementing the official program.

With our UNCCD-Designated Global Database on Sustainable Land Management Best Practices, WOCAT continues to lead efforts to document, share, and scale impactful solutions that support achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The WOCAT UNCCD Pavilion (Blue Zone, Pavilion A14)

The WOCAT UNCCD Pavilion, co-branded with the UNCCD, served as a hub to highlight SLM tools, methodologies and successful practices, providing a dynamic space for stakeholders to network, exchange ideas and explore collaborative solutions.

Fostering learning and dialogue in the context of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), the Pavilion hosted a variety of events, including presentations, panel discussions, training sessions, and informal meetups.

Sessions at the WOCAT Pavilion

The WOCAT sessions were designed to complement the official COP16 agenda, ensuring they do not overlap with COP, CRIC, CST, or COW plenary. Participants could engage in...

• Afternoon Sessions (13:00-15:00 UTC+3) aligned with Thematic Days and partner-led initiatives, and
  
• Evening Sessions (from 18:00 UTC+3) for extended collaboration and in-depth engagement.

Between Pavilion events the WOCAT staff was available to:

• Deliver customised presentations on the application of WOCAT tools and methods.
• Answer questions about WOCAT’s database, tools, methodologies, and its role in collaboration with the UNCCD.
• Distribute and showcase WOCAT–UNCCD products and joint publications with partners.
• Schedule, organise and hold bilateral meetings.