The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification opened on Monday, 2 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will take place until 13 December. This event, marked by urgent action to combat desertification and land degradation, brings together delegations from thousands of countries. to discuss concrete solutions to global environmental challenges.

Mali, represented by Mrs Doumbia Mariam Tangara, Minister of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development, participated actively in the opening session.

The Minister highlighted Mali's commitment to restore one billion hectares of degraded land through the World Bank-funded Degraded Land Restoration Project (DTP) by 2030.

The PRTD-Mali, an ambitious and structuring programme, is part of global efforts to combat the devastating effects of desertification and climate change. Since the commitments made at COP15 in Abidjan, Mali has intensified its efforts to promote sustainable land management and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.

This COP16 is a new key step to strengthen synergies between national initiatives and the overall objectives of the UNCCD, while highlighting integrated solutions to protect biodiversity and support adaptation to climate change.

Mali, through its delegation and innovative projects, confirms its determination to play an active role in combating desertification and to contribute to global efforts to preserve the planet.