Arab Coordination Group Pledges $10 Billion to Combat Land Degradation and Drought
Arab Coordination Group's $10 Billion Commitment
The Arab Coordination Group (ACG), a coalition of 10 major development finance institutions, has pledged up to $10 billion by 2030 to tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought. This announcement was made during the Ministerial Dialogue on Finance at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Focus on Land Restoration and Climate Resilience
The ACG's commitment aims to drive land restoration, enhance climate resilience, and promote nature-positive development in vulnerable regions. The group plans to use innovative financing, resource mobilization, and partnerships to support sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and food security, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel.
Statements from ACG Leaders
Islamic Development Bank Group Chairman, Muhammad Al Jasser, emphasized the importance of this pledge, stating, "The ACG's $10 billion pledge underscores our shared determination to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. By restoring degraded lands and combating desertification and drought, we are not just preserving ecosystems but also securing livelihoods and fostering resilience in the world's most vulnerable communities."
Building on Previous Commitments
This new pledge builds on previous commitments, including a $50 billion pledge for resilient infrastructure in Africa, a $24 billion climate finance pledge at COP 27, and a $10 billion Food Security Action Package.
Doubts Revealed
Arab Coordination Group (ACG)
The Arab Coordination Group is a group of financial institutions from Arab countries that work together to support development projects. They provide money and resources to help countries improve their infrastructure, economy, and environment.
Land Degradation
Land degradation is when the quality of the land gets worse, making it less useful for growing plants or supporting wildlife. This can happen because of things like deforestation, overgrazing, or pollution.
Desertification
Desertification is when fertile land becomes desert, usually because of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. It means the land can't support plants and animals as it used to.
Drought
Drought is a long period with very little or no rain, which can cause water shortages and make it hard for plants and animals to survive.
COP16
COP16 refers to the 16th Conference of the Parties, which is a big meeting where countries discuss how to tackle climate change and environmental issues. This particular meeting was held in Riyadh.
Climate Resilience
Climate resilience is the ability of people, communities, and systems to cope with and recover from the effects of climate change, like extreme weather or rising sea levels.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of people today without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves using resources wisely and protecting the environment.
Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel
These are regions in the world. The Middle East is a region that includes countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. North Africa includes countries like Egypt and Libya. The Sahel is a region in Africa that stretches across the continent just below the Sahara Desert.
Innovative Financing
Innovative financing means finding new and creative ways to raise money for projects. This can include things like using technology or creating partnerships to fund important work.
Food Security
Food security means having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food to lead a healthy life. It is important for everyone to have enough food to eat.
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