Fighting Desertification Through Catching Rainwater and Building Oases
On December 7, 2024, the UNDP Pavilion in Area 4 of the Green Zone at the COP16 Conference in Riyadh hosted a remarkable discussion session titled “Fighting Desertification Through Catching Rainwater and Building Oases”, featuring a distinguished panel of experts and specialists.
The session, which began at 11:00 AM, included contributions from prominent speakers:
- Dr. Mohammed Al-Surf, who provided deep insights into the importance of sustainable policies and innovations in combating desertification, highlighting successful examples both regionally and globally.
- Mr. Sharif AlHaj, who discussed regional initiatives for rainwater harvesting and their positive impact on biodiversity restoration and land rehabilitation.
- Engr. Yahya Hazzaa, who showcased technical solutions for designing and utilizing oases as tools to enhance water security and support local ecosystems.
The session addressed the challenges and opportunities in fighting desertification, emphasizing the integration of engineering innovations and modern technologies to ensure the sustainability of natural resources. Participants exchanged ideas and experiences on how to scale up the proposed solutions to achieve sustainable development goals.
The session attracted a wide audience, including government representatives, private sector leaders, environmental experts, and sustainability enthusiasts. The discussions concluded with significant recommendations for strengthening international collaboration and developing future projects for rainwater harvesting and oasis construction as effective initiatives to combat desertification.
Praise and Future Aspirations
Attendees praised the high level of discussion and the importance of the topic, stressing the need to translate ideas into actionable initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future.
This event is a standout addition to the COP16 agenda, reflecting the commitment of participating entities to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and global sustainable development goals.
