IRENA at COP16

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Event in progress

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16), takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2–13 December 2024, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of UNCCD.

Bringing together 197 parties (196 countries and the European Union), civil society leaders, indigenous peoples, farmers and scientists, COP 16 is the largest UN land conference to date. It aims to accelerate global action on land restoration and drought resilience, highlighting the Middle East's firsthand experience with desertification under the theme "Our Land. Our Future."

IRENA aims to support climate adaptation and resilience by promoting renewable energy solutions that address desertification and land degradation at COP16.

By enhancing capacity building and investment on the ground and deepening the understanding of the land-renewable energy nexus, IRENA seeks to accelerate the deployment of renewables as a key component in restoring land and boosting drought resilience for sustainable development.

IRENA events at COP16

IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
10:30 – 11:45
Renewable Energy Benefits for Water, Energy, Food & Ecosystems Nexus
IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
10:30 – 11:45
Lives and Livelihoods (LnL) – Renewables for Climate Action
IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
10:30 – 11:45
Roundtable discussion on sustainability of innovation green investment in Pan-Arab region with Arab Energy Club and KAPSARC
IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
10:30 – 11:45
Youth Action and Engagement on Renewable Energy applications and facing desertification and land degradation
IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
12:00 – 13:15
Youth Innovations for Renewable Energy & Land reclamation
IRENA Pavilion, Blue Zone
Riyadh Time (UTC/GMT+3)
13:30 – 14:45
Climate-proofing power systems: Renewables overcoming Desertification

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