UN Warns Global Drought Will Effect 75% of World Population by 2025

The United Nations has highlighted the global economic toll of drought, now surpassing $300 billion annually, as international talks on desertification convene at COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event, which runs from December 2-13, 2024, brings together 196 countries and the EU to address escalating land degradation and drought impacts worldwide.

A UN report warns that drought, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, could affect 75% of the global population by 2050. The phenomenon disrupts ecosystems, harms agricultural productivity, and spurs food shortages, migration, and economic insecurity. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the conference as a “moonshot moment” for land restoration and climate resilience.

Saudi Arabia, hosting the event, faces its own challenges with desertification, as it has one of the world’s largest deserts. Deputy Environment Minister Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha underscored the kingdom’s efforts, including restoring 240,000 hectares of land through expanded national parks and stricter environmental policies. The country aims to restore 40 million hectares by 2030.

The UNCCD report emphasizes nature-based solutions such as reforestation, grazing management, and watershed conservation. Experts, including UNCCD’s Ibrahim Thiaw, advocate for proactive strategies to mitigate drought’s effects, noting that 40% of global soils are already degraded. These measures are critical to ensuring food security and mitigating climate change impacts globally.

As drought becomes increasingly frequent and severe, exacerbated by 2024 being projected as the hottest year on record, the need for international cooperation is more urgent than ever. The conference also aligns with broader global goals, including restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030 to combat climate challenges.

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