The COP16 summit in Riyadh, led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), put a spotlight on the severe consequences of land degradation, which affects 40% of global agricultural land. During the summit, speakers emphasized how desertification disrupts ecosystems, forces migration, and fuels conflicts. Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, highlighted Lake Chad’s 90% reduction as emblematic of desertification’s toll. In regions like northern Kenya and the Lake Chad Basin, droughts and barren soils displace families and intensify crises, such as the Boko Haram insurgency. Experts warned that resource scarcity fosters intercommunal violence and exploitation by armed groups. To address these issues, the summit called for global action, including restoring degraded land through initiatives like the Great Green Wall. However, funding gaps remain a significant barrier to achieving sustainable solutions and mitigating forced migration.
SOURCE: DW
