Cologne, June (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 24 يونيو 2025ء) It highlighted the urgency and importance of embedding drought preparedness within national plans of affected countries, through transitioning from reactive responses to proactive preparedness, which can significantly mitigate the devastating impacts of drought that currently affect over 1.8 billion people worldwide. This necessitates enhanced international collaboration and the establishment of effective partnerships to tackle this pressing issue.
These remarks were delivered by Deputy Minister for Environment Dr. Osama Faqeeha during the international workshop on the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, held in Cologne, Germany, on June 23–24.
The workshop facilitated discussions among representatives from various countries, international organizations, and financial institutions on the governance of the partnership, mechanisms for technical support, and priorities for beneficiary countries in the upcoming phase.
Participants emphasized the necessity of developing a practical model that enhances countries' capacities to adapt to the impacts of drought through multilateral cooperation.
This participation is part of the Kingdom's presidency of the UNCCD COP16, which saw the launch of the 'Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership' in December 2024 in Riyadh, a partnership aiming to shift the global approach to drought from delayed responses to early prevention and preparedness.
The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership stands as a pioneering international initiative in drought adaptation. It focuses on addressing one of the most significant challenges threatening food security, exacerbating migration crises, and impacting societal stability. The partnership exemplifies the Kingdom's growing role in advancing international environmental efforts and offering innovative, sustainable solutions to climate-related risks.
