Indigenous Groups, Youth and at-Risk Communities Rally on ‘People’s Day’ at COP16 in Fight Against Land Degradation

From youth to at-risk communities and Indigenous Peoples, events on Saturday during the sixth day of COP16 in Riyadh on Saturday, advanced the voice and role of a range of key stakeholders in the fight against land degradation, drought and desertification. It comes as the Riyadh Action Agenda intensifies engagement with non-state and state actors to mobilize action on existing, and new, land restoration and drought resilience initiatives.
 The first-ever dedicated dialogue for Indigenous Peoples at a UNCCD COP took place at COP16 in Riyadh today, marking an historic People’s Day, as the Riyadh Action Agenda continues to enhance action on global land restoration and drought resilience initiatives.
 The Indigenous Peoples dialogue began with opening remarks from Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, saying: “5% of the global population are indigenous peoples, they are custodians of 20% of land, which houses 80% of biodiversity. So, they are the gatekeepers of biodiversity.”
 Speaking at the event, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, said: “For the first time ever we have gathered indigenous peoples, indigenous leaders, from the seven social cultural regions to carry a very simple message with them here. Land is the element where everything fits together, in all our regions land is the root of all life.”
 The session concluded with a landmark declaration from representatives from Indigenous Peoples around the world. Amongst other objectives, it called for the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples, including women and youth, in land-related processes at the local, national, regional and international levels. It also urged the international community to recognize Indigenous Peoples as rightsholders distinct from civil society organizations and ensure direct access to finances for Indigenous Peoples.
 People’s Day, one of seven thematic days running throughout COP16 in Riyadh to hone discussions and outcomes, also included a youth forum called Action for Land, Restoring Work for Resilient and Sustainable Futures.
 The event saw the launch of the UNCCD Youth Strategy and Action Plan 2024, a roadmap for harnessing young people in the fight against land degradation. It highlights the importance of younger generations in accelerating land restoration and drought resilience. According to the UNCCD, more than one billion young people in developing countries depend on land and natural resources.
 “Inclusivity must be at the core of land restoration and drought resilience,” said Dr. Faqeeha of the COP16 Presidency. “As an international community, it is essential we harness the knowledge, experience and expertise of those impacted by land degradation, desertification and drought.”