YPARD Position Paper for the UNCCD COP16

Desertification, driven by climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices, threatens approximately 41% of the Earth's surface and impacts the livelihoods of around 2 billion people, with youth, women, and local communities being the most affected. This degradation exacerbates inequalities, triggering challenges such as migration, loss of education, food insecurity, reduced income, and increased vulnerability to violence, particularly for marginalized groups.  

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UNCCD Mandates and Gaps

The UNCCD mandates participation of local populations, particularly women and youth, in combating desertification and emphasizes capacity-building, gender equality, and coordination with related conventions like the UNFCCC. However, global implementation remains insufficient, necessitating stronger commitments from all stakeholders.  

Key Recommendations for COP16
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In anticipation of the 16th session of the UNCCD COP in Riyadh (December 2024), YPARD underscores the need to prioritize:
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1. Policy Integration and Inclusion: Ensure youth, women, and Indigenous representation in land policies, with gender-sensitive approaches and measurable progress indicators.  

2. Funding Mechanisms: Create accessible funding for youth, women, and Indigenous-led restoration efforts and support their participation in global decision-making forums.  

3. Research and Knowledge Exchange: Promote co-creation of knowledge, gender-disaggregated data, and youth-led innovations to advance sustainable land management.  

4. Monitoring and Accountability: Develop inclusive indicators to track the participation and empowerment of youth, women, and Indigenous communities in combating desertification.  

5. Capacity Building: Equip youth, women, and Indigenous groups with technical skills through education, mentorship, and tailored training in sustainable land practices.  

6. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Recognize and protect Indigenous land rights, integrate traditional knowledge, and ensure their participation in restoration initiatives.  

7. Local Community Engagement: Support community-led initiatives, ensure local participation, and provide financial and technical assistance for sustainable practices.  

8. Gender Equality in Land Restoration: Address gender disparities by securing land rights and empowering women and youth in sustainable land management.  

9. Traditional Knowledge: Respect, protect, and integrate Indigenous and local knowledge systems into national and global strategies for combating desertification.  

10. Community-Led Restoration: Support initiatives combining traditional knowledge with modern science to restore ecosystems through agroecology and agroforestry.

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You can read our full position paper here.

YPARD urges governments, international organizations, the private sector, and cultural institutions to foster inclusion, innovation, and capacity-building to promote sustainable and resilient land use. This collaborative effort is vital to addressing desertification’s global challenges and ensuring a sustainable, equitable future for all.

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This position paper was drafted by the UNCCD Sub-group (Focal Point Ajuna Tadeo, YPARD Uganda) of the YPARD Policy WG.

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