Urgent Call for Unified effort Worldwide to Combat Drought Crisis

Urgent Call for Unified effort Worldwide to Combat Drought Crisis

In a significant move towards addressing the global threat of drought and its environmental consequences, such as desertification and water scarcity, Saudi Arabia recently launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) during the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville, Spain from June 30 to July 3.

The RGDRP, spearheaded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aims to transform the global approach to drought from reactive response to early prevention and preparedness. Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture, Osama Faqeeha, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and innovation to tackle the challenge of climate change and its resulting environmental issues, such as drought.

The RGDRP serves as a "one-stop shop" for drought resilience, fostering partnerships between governments, the private sector, and international organizations to strengthen resilience against droughts and climate change. The partnership aims to mobilize financing, attract investments, and support drought mitigation and resilience projects, leveraging both public and private funds.

One of the key objectives of the RGDRP is to shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness. The partnership will promote international collaboration, empower communities, expand early warning systems, and support vulnerable countries, particularly those highly susceptible to drought and land degradation.

The RGDRP is a global initiative, involving nearly 200 countries represented at COP16. Key partners include the Commonwealth Secretariat, which is actively participating in drought mitigation and resilience-building efforts, with examples from countries such as Fiji, Malawi, and Zambia. The partnership also engages with the private sector, international organizations (e.g., UNCCD, FAO), and local/indigenous communities.

Strategies for long-term sustainability include embedding drought preparedness into national strategies, harmonizing these with international efforts to ensure a coordinated response. The partnership also plans to mobilize more than $12 billion in financing, including through innovative financial mechanisms such as insurance products (e.g., parametric and sovereign insurance).

The RGDRP also emphasizes capacity building, knowledge sharing, and best practices, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, crop diversification, and knowledge exchange among member countries and partners. Local and indigenous community engagement is also a crucial aspect of the partnership, involving indigenous peoples and local communities in policy development and solution implementation to ensure culturally appropriate and effective interventions.

The launch of the RGDRP was discussed alongside national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America. The deputy minister emphasized the need to apply solutions through strategies and mechanisms for enhanced resilience in areas affected by drought and climate change globally.

The 4-day conference was attended by 70 countries, including local and international ministers, environmental organizations, and financial development entities. Faqeeha is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, further emphasizing Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating desertification and promoting sustainable development.

The RGDRP stands as a model for international cooperation and sustainable management of drought risks, aiming to build lasting resilience for vulnerable populations and ecosystems.

1. Saudi Arabia, at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP), an initiative designed to address drought and its environmental outcomes, such as desertification and water scarcity, on a global scale.
2. The RGDRP aims to shift the global approach to drought from reactive response to proactive prevention and preparedness, fostering collaborations between governments, the private sector, and international organizations.
3. The partnership seeks to mobilize financing, attract investments, and support drought mitigation and resilience projects, leveraging both public and private funds, and promoting innovation in dealing with climate change and its related environmental issues.
4. The RGDRP encourages international collaboration, empowering communities, expanding early warning systems, and assisting vulnerable countries, particularly those susceptible to drought and land degradation.
5. The partnership involves nearly 200 countries, including key partners like the Commonwealth Secretariat, and engages with the private sector, international organizations like UNCCD and FAO, and local/indigenous communities.
6. The RGDRP prioritizes long-term sustainability through strategies such as embedding drought preparedness in national strategies, knowledge sharing, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, and involving indigenous peoples and local communities in policy development and solution implementation.

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