Ahead of the UNCCD COP16 conference, Saudi Arabia’s incoming presidency convened a pivotal workshop in Riyadh, urging private sector engagement in the fight against land degradation.

The event marks a significant push to harness corporate influence and capital in the global effort to restore land, underscoring the critical role of business in securing both environmental and economic futures.

“Land is more than a natural resource—it’s the backbone of economies and supply chains across the globe,” said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the COP16 Presidency.

“The private sector must be at the forefront of efforts to combat land degradation. The economic case for sustainable land management is undeniable, and businesses that invest in land restoration are safeguarding their long-term stability.”

The Riyadh workshop spotlighted key data, including that for every dollar invested in restoring degraded lands, up to US$30 is returned in economic benefits, according to the UNCCD.

Furthermore, a report by the Economics of Land Degradation estimates that sustainable land practices could increase global crop production by US$1.4 trillion.

Yet, the private sector has contributed only a fraction—US$35 billion—of the US$200 billion spent annually on nature-based solutions.

This initiative launched by Saudi Arabia’s incoming UNCCD COP16 Presidency is part of a larger global campaign ahead of COP16, which will be held in Riyadh this December under the theme Our Land. Our Future.

For the first time in UNCCD COP history, a Green Zone will be introduced, offering a collaborative space for businesses, financial institutions, NGOs, and the scientific community to develop innovative solutions to land degradation.

The Business for Land Forum, scheduled during the conference, will convene global leaders to discuss the economic imperatives of sustainable land practices.

As land degradation continues to threaten over 3.2 billion people globally, Saudi Arabia’s incoming UNCCD COP16 presidency plans to champion business-led environmental action, with a clear message: land restoration is not only an environmental necessity, but also a smart business strategy.