Crunch time for Saudi-hosted drought, desertification talks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP) Dec 11, 2024

Landmark talks on desertification are set to conclude in Saudi Arabia this week amid doubts that pledged funds will make a meaningful difference in the fight against the growing scourge. The 12-day meeting of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), known as COP16, has already seen announcements that billions of dollars will be made available to respond to drought and restore damaged land. But it has also featured stark warnings about how land is becoming drier ... read more