The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has addressed global stakeholders during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), recently held in December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In his remarks, the minister underscored the pressing need for coordinated global action to tackle desertification and land degradation, emphasizing their severe implications for food security and climate resilience.
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Lawal advocated for increased investments in sustainable land management practices and stressed the importance of empowering local communities to actively engage in decision-making processes.
The conference convened representatives from around the world to exchange best practices and develop actionable strategies aimed at achieving land degradation neutrality and fostering a sustainable future.