The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP16) is beginning today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time West Asia hosts this crucial environmental conference. India will join representatives from 197 nations at this milestone event, which coincides with UNCCD’s 30th anniversary.

India’s delegation, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, will participate in a significant side event at the IUCN Pavilion on the opening day. The delegation will present the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP), a comprehensive initiative targeting the restoration of 1.15 million hectares of degraded landscape across four states in northwestern India.

The project presentation, scheduled for December 2nd, will demonstrate India’s innovative approach to combating desertification, land degradation, and drought through the integration of indigenous species afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and advanced water management strategies. The initiative employs modern GIS tools and Nature-Based Solutions while emphasizing community engagement and cultural preservation.

This two-week conference, running through December 13, represents the largest multilateral event ever hosted by Saudi Arabia. It provides a global platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to collaborate on sustainable land management solutions, with India’s AGWP serving as a potential model for similar initiatives worldwide.

The timing of India’s presentation on the conference’s opening day highlights the country’s commitment to addressing land degradation challenges and its growing role in global environmental leadership. The event will feature discussions between forestry experts, ministers, and conservation leaders, focusing on creating green employment opportunities while enhancing ecosystem services.