Date: 2-13 December 2024

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Learn more: https://www.unccdcop16.org/

 

Context:

UNCCD COP 16 is more than a critical milestone – it represents a moonshot moment to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach. 

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of UNCCD, COP16 will be the largest UN land conference to date, and the first UNCCD COP held in the Middle East and North Africa region, which knows first-hand the impacts of desertification, land degradation, and drought, under the theme Our Land. Our Future. 

Deserts cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. They are characterized by little rainfall, sandy soil, scorching winds, and high reliance on often non-renewable groundwater, making agriculture a daunting prospect. As one of the most water-scarce regions in the world, the Central and West Asia, and North Africa (CWANA) region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, population growth, and ill-planned land use.

Yet this vast dryland region offers huge research potential through its wide variations in agroecology, farming systems, water accessibility, climate, soil types, local expertise, and cultural practices. There is also a rich abundance of unique biodiversity already adapted to harsh conditions, which can help global climate change adaptation efforts.

 

WorldFish Participation:

CGIAR, through WorldFish, promotes the work of sustainable aquaculture development in Egypt and Africa through:

  • Genetic Improvement: Further development of the Abbassa strain of Nile tilapia, adding resilience to the breeding program.
  • Feed Research: Developing new feed ingredients, improving feed efficiency, and providing best management practice training.
  • Fish Health: Investigating new disease issues affecting Egyptian fish farms.
  • Improving Fish Markets: Organizing group-based organizations of informal retailers, enhancing product development, and improving postharvest handling.

 

At COP16, join WorldFish Country Representative, in Egypt, Ahmed Nasr-Allah at the following side events:

*All times are displayed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia local time

Wednesday, 4 December 2024
| Launch of the CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands Pioneering agri-science for thriving global dryland communities 
| 09:00 to 10:30
| MET-05: 207
| International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and WorldFish

| From Data to Action: Inclusive Multidimensional Understanding of Land, Water and Communities Fragility in MENA 
| 11:00 to 12:30
| MET-01: 96
| International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and WorldFish

Explore the Dec 4th UNCCD official side events here

 

Thursday, 5 December 2024
| Integrated Desert Farming Systems (IDFS): Transformative Food Systems for Resilient Livelihoods 
| 09:00 to 10:30
| MET-07: 213
| International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and WorldFish

Explore the Dec 5th UNCCD official side events here

*Follow CGIAR's program of events at the Food and Ag Pavilion

 

List of resources:

-Country Factsheet: WorldFish in Egypt

-Report: WorldFish Egypt: Research program achievements and future strategy

-Report: Integrated Agriculture–Aquaculture systems in Morocco: Current status and opportunities

 

Stay updated on aquatic foods research, outcomes, and new knowledge:

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WorldFish @ UNCCD COP16

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