Story by Memory Chamisa
Zimbabwe is participating in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
A delegation, led by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, is representing Zimbabwe at the high-level conference taking place from the 2nd to the 13th of this month.
The conference is a platform for experts to address escalating challenges of desertification, bringing together 197 signatory countries of the UNCCD to think of innovative and concrete solutions.
Zimbabwe’s participation reaffirms its commitment to preserving ecosystems and combating desertification and land degradation, aligning with international environmental goals, the UNCCD, and its broader sustainable development agenda.
As these pressing climate crises continue to impact livelihoods, Zimbabwe stands out as a model for other nations by implementing practical and scalable solutions to address deforestation-related issues and alleviate climate change.
Through environmental bodies that include the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe and the Environmental Management Agency, various initiatives have been implemented with a focus on inclusive forest management involving local communities, promoting reforestation, and enhancing economic opportunities through ecotourism and sustainable forestry practices.
Zimbabwe has since integrated various sustainable land use practices, including agroforestry to combat deforestation while promoting organic farming and sustainable agriculture.
The summit has been called a moonshot moment for protecting, restoring land and building drought resilience.
It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions that aim to address the interconnected environmental crises of climate change, land and biodiversity loss.
