Somalia Participates in COP16 Conference in Saudi Arabia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | RIYADH: Federal government of Somalia’s Environment and Climate Change minister Amb. Khadija Mohamed Almakhzoumi, and the Livestock minister Hassan Hussein Mohamed are in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the international COP16 conference.

The conference opened on Monday, 2 December with major political and financial commitments to strengthen drought resilience worldwide. 

Negotiations on a global drought regime are set to dominate the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) as 197 Parties gather to address one of the world’s deadliest and costliest disasters.

The participation of Somalia in the global conference underscores the country’s commitment to supporting international efforts to address the challenges of climate change and focuses on strengthening environmental resilience to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future.

The COP16 Conference presents a significant opportunity for Somalia to showcase its dedication to environmental issues and to enhance international cooperation in combating climate change.

Drought, intensified by climate change and unsustainable land practices, has surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity since 2000, threatening agriculture, water security, and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people, with the poorest nations bearing the brunt.