Desertification—the process through which land becomes increasingly dry, degraded and desert-like—has a catastrophic impact on human life. It has already increased poverty, relentlessly eroded ecosystems and jeopardized food security. Yet despite its devastating consequences, not enough is being done to address the process.
Today desertification affects 3.2 billion people worldwide, with small land holders and rural communities in regions such as Africa, Asia and Latin America among those most susceptible. Recent reports estimate that 48% of the Earth’s land surface had at least one month of drought in 2023—the second highest level since 1951. Agricultural productivity is expected to fall as temperatures rise and large swaths of land shift from cold arid and cold steppe to hot arid and hot steppe status, and as water availability for irrigation declines. Rural populations are likely to be the worst affected because of their high dependence on agriculture, lower ability to adapt, and high share of income spent on food (50% on average). This cannot go on unchecked. Immediate action is required to ensure desertification does not become the next code red for humanity.
This week, on the behalf of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), I will join world leaders, investors and civil society in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Taking place under the theme “Our Land. Our Future” and the first UNCCD COP to be held in the Middle East and North Africa, the 2024 “Desertification COP” aims to accelerate action on land and drought resilience with affected people at the centre. Global problems require global solutions, and as we look to tackle this one together, it is imperative that we consider the critical role infrastructure can play in supporting sustainable land management and drought prevention.
As an infrastructure-focussed investment development bank, AIIB focus is on innovative financial and technological solutions that can alleviate desertification through methods such as upgrades to water infrastructure and soil erosion control structures. In the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan, AIIB has invested USD248 million to rehabilitate water intakes, pipelines, treatment facilities and sewage systems. This will secure reliable access to safely managed water and sanitation services to 1.15 million residents through smart metering and energy-efficient systems. Similarly, AIIB has approved USD145 million to support irrigation and flood management efforts in West Bengal, India. This will reduce operational water losses and allow available water to service a greater combined area across all crop seasons.
In 2023, AIIB launched its report on Nature as Infrastructure, which identifies the transformative impact that nature-based solutions can have on promoting biodiversity and preserving land, a concept that has earned many advocates. Aging irrigation and drainage infrastructure puts stress on both surface water and groundwater resources, as well as on land resources. Poor water management and inadequate drainage are major contributors to land degradation, lowering yields and land productivity. When thinking specifically about the issue of desertification, water infrastructure has a viral role to play. Improvements to water infrastructure can facilitate efficient water storage and distribution, including irrigation systems, which in return sustain vegetation, restore degraded lands and prevent soil erosion.
Riyadh is a fitting host for the COP16 UNCCD and for its part, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already undertaken significant action through the likes of the USD2.5 billion Middle East Green Initiative and the Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership.
Over the coming weeks and beyond, I see three main priorities to kickstart global action against desertification: (1) build strong coalitions that span across public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organizations to elevate the sense of urgency, have a better understanding of the issues, and assign proper roles within the solution set; (2) ensure multilateral development banks remain steadfast in our commitment to climate adaptation and resilience efforts, building on a strong track record promoting sustainable land and water management; and (3) and most important, create the right mechanisms for bold, innovative and inclusive people centred solutions to drive our collective actions over the upcoming years, starting today.
I know a challenging road lies ahead; I am also convinced, however, that by working closely together with a strong sense of urgency and purpose, we will be able to pull this off. At AIIB, we are committed to do our part, build consensus, and mobilize resources towards these types of solutions, and generate new ideas on how to prevent desertification. I remain optimistic about our opportunity and look forward to driving meaningful change at COP16.
