Manama: GCC countries are intensifying efforts to protect land resources and restore degraded ecosystems, demonstrating a strong commitment to international environmental agreements and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) emphasized the significance of investing in the restoration of degraded rangelands and adopting sustainable land management practices. Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the centre highlighted the importance of these efforts in supporting food security, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and contributing to a sustainable future.
The GCC-Stat noted that all GCC member states ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) between 1996 and 1999. This early commitment showcases their dedication to addressing land degradation and drought challenges while promoting sustainable management of natural resources. The number of civil society organizations accredited to the UNCCD within the GCC has reached 14, playing a vital role in supporting environmental initiatives, raising public awareness, and contributing to the sustainable management of natural resources.
Furthermore, the centre emphasized the strategic importance of rangelands as a crucial natural resource supporting food security and biodiversity conservation. GCC countries have implemented national frameworks and regulations to manage rangelands sustainably. These measures include preventing overgrazing, regulating grazing seasons, and improving land management practices to ensure long-term sustainability for future generations.
The centre also highlighted Saudi Arabia's "Silk Road Campaign", an initiative that connects the outcomes of the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD, hosted in Riyadh in 2024, with the seventeenth session (COP17), scheduled to be held in Mongolia in August 2026. This initiative aims to advance global efforts in land restoration and strengthen resilience to drought and climate change.