ICARDA’s Highlights from COP16

From December 2- 13, the world turned its eyes to Riyadh, as UNCCD’s COP16 brought together a global audience of leaders, changemakers, and science innovators to confront the escalating crisis of desertification that is spreading across the world’s productive land as climate change intensifies. Leading the charge was ICARDA, with insights, science expertise, and bold solutions for the planet's most fragile ecosystems - its drylands. 

ICARDA rose to the occasion with a range of diverse contributions that match the complexity of dryland challenges. From leading productive discussions to unveiling bold agri-innovation and strategic objectives, we reaffirmed our commitment to driving sustainable agriculture and strengthening resilience in drylands. 

A Lifeline for Drylands 

ICARDA and ICRISAT took the opportunity to launch the visionary CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD), a groundbreaking initiative developed across CGIAR global research centers and its 50-year network of experts and partners, that aims to transform agriculture in the world’s driest regions and improve the lives of over 2.7 billion people. 

“This is a lifeline for dryland communities confronting climate change,” said ICARDA Director General Aly Abousabaa. “By combining considerable and diverse expertise, we’ll deliver lasting solutions.” CGIAR Executive Managing Director Dr. Ismahane Elouafi emphasized. ICRISAT’s Interim Director General, Dr. Stanford Blade, stressed drylands' role in global food systems, stating, “The resilience models we’ve developed will support the most vulnerable as climate change escalates.” 

Following the launch, ICARDA, ICRISAT, and CGIAR hosted an event, “Shaping a Sustainable Future,” to outline actionable steps for implementing the strategy. This session explored practical pathways to translate the GSRD into impactful solutions for vulnerable communities worldwide. 

Innovations in Desert Farming  

 ICARDA’s official side event, “Harvesting Hope: Sustainable Desert Farming in Drylands”, illustrated our forward-thinking vision of turning deserts into food production powerhouses.

Ambassador Shahira Alwehabi, Water, Food Security, and Climate Change Expert, said, 

“If we tackle unsustainable practices together, we take the crucial first step in transforming initiatives into impactful implementation.”

Samantha Kayruz, Sustainability and Impact Director at Goumbook, added, 

“The evidence-based, practical strength of regenerative agriculture gives us hope to overcome doubts and turn Integrated Desert Farming Systems into reality, making this region a seedbed of innovation.”

Bridging the Data Gap in Water Management 

 Water scarcity, a defining challenge in drylands, took center stage at an event - “Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Programme: Enhancing Knowledge Across Sectors by Bridging the Data Gap,” co-hosted by ICARDA, FAO, and IWMI. The NENA Evapotranspiration Network, designed to standardize field data measurements, exemplifies ICARDA's innovative approach. 

As ICARDA’s Soil, Water, and Agronomy Team Leader, Dr. Vinay Nangia, noted, “Open access to water resource data empowers communities and fosters innovation, ensuring that every drop counts.” 

Beyond the Drought 

ICARDA and IFPRI hosted a vital session titled “Tackling Water Scarcity and Drought: Sustainable Solutions for Food Systems and Ecosystem Health in a Climate-Constrained World,” addressing the escalating challenges of water scarcity in agriculture and its ripple effects on food security and climate migration. 

“By harnessing data and innovation, we can tackle water challenges and ensure a resilient, sustainable future for our planet,” said ICARDA’s Climatologist Ajit Govind, emphasizing the role of data in optimizing water use and predicting crises. 

Claudia Ringler, the Director of Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR) at IFPRI, added, “Reusing water is key to addressing food production efficiency in dry regions, but it must be balanced with household needs,” underscoring the complexity of sustainable water management. 

Harnessing the Power of Genebanks 

 In our session, "Bridging Global, National, and Local Seedbanks for Climate Resilience and Community Empowerment," ICARDA and the Crop Trust spotlighted genebanks as vital tools for biodiversity preservation, climate resilience, and community empowerment.

ICARDA’s Acting Deputy Director General Michael Baum emphasized, 

“International genebank systems conserve biodiversity for climate-smart crops and empower countries to tackle agricultural challenges through capacity building.”

Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, added, 

“Imagine the transformative impact of linking global genebanks into a unified system to share assets and expertise.”

Restoring the Land, Rebuilding Livelihoods 

 ICARDA hosted a key side event at COP16, “Principles and Good Practices for Sustainable Rangeland Restoration & Management,” which focused on restoring these vital ecosystems.

Aly Abousabaa stressed the urgency, 

“Rangelands, though essential for millions, are under threat from poor practices and climate impacts. Our toolkits combine traditional knowledge with innovative dryland agriculture solutions to provide affordable technology for resilience, food security, and rangeland restoration.”

Fidaa Haddad, FAO, emphasized the importance of bridging communication gaps: 

“Improving transparency between policymakers and pastoralists is crucial for ensuring the adoption of new approaches.”