The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as hosts of World Environment Day (WED) 2024, have initiated campaigns to combat desertification, restore land, and enhance drought resilience in anticipation of the global WED celebrations on June 5th in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia perceives this celebration as a significant step in fulfilling its commitment to restoring and re-greening degraded lands.
World Environment Day, observed on June 5th, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and has since evolved into one of the largest global platforms for environmental advocacy over the past five decades. This is evident from the substantial participation in activities, events, and actions worldwide.
In March 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 2021–2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and their partners, this decade aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss of ecosystems globally. It serves as a global call to action, garnering political support, scientific research, and financial resources to expand restoration efforts significantly.
The objective of this year’s World Environment Day is to accelerate progress on these commitments, with Saudi Arabia’s campaign aligning with the theme of COP-16, “Our Land, Our Future,” and the slogan “We are #GenerationRestoration” of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
This campaign is expected to gain momentum as it leads up to the largest-ever UN conference on land and drought, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from December 2nd to 13th, 2024 – the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16). Moreover, Saudi Arabia spearheads the G20 Global Land Initiative, launched during its G20 Presidency in 2020. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union, serving as a forum for environmental collaboration among the world’s major developed and developing economies.
Internationally, countries have committed to restoring one billion hectares of land – an area larger than China – by safeguarding 30% of land and sea for nature and rehabilitating 30% of the planet’s degraded ecosystems. By championing the 2030 Agenda and rallying support for vital ecosystem restoration work, World Environment Day 2024 contributes to advancing climate action and building momentum for a sustainable and resilient future.
According to Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP now is the time to act on the commitments to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation.
” We are the first generation to now fully understand the immense threats to the land – and might be the last one with a chance to reverse the course of destruction. Our priority now must be on restoring ecosystems – on replanting our forests, on rewetting our marshes, on reviving our soils,” she added during the launching of the global campaign at a Saudi Environment Week event in Riyadh.
In her reception by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli, they launched the global World Environment Day campaigns as we gear up toward the 5th of June.
Restoration initiatives harbor biodiversity, mitigating the global extinction crisis as they combat climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration in forests and rivers. Additionally, restoration efforts establish protective barriers around communities, mitigating the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters and protecting them against climate shocks.
Economically, it’s evident that investing in land restoration yields significant returns, with each dollar invested potentially generating up to 30 US dollars. However, for successful restoration, there is a requirement for collective engagement from governments, businesses, scientists, faith-based organizations, civil society, and individuals.
