The 14th Conference of Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification came to a close today.

In-depth discussions on land management, restoration of degraded land, drought, climate change, renewable energy, women empowerment, gender equality, water scarcity and various other issues were held during the 12-day conference.

COP-14 witnessed widespread participation from over 9,000 participants from across the globe at Greater Noida.

Briefing media on the outcomes of COP-14, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar exuded confidence that all three Rio conventions will work in synergy. Mr Javadekar reiterated India’s commitment to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.

He also committed to providing effective leadership to the UNCCD during his two-year tenure of Presidentship.

In an unprecedented global campaign to save productive land, country parties have agreed to make the Sustainable Development Goal target of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030 a national target for action.

Through the Delhi Declaration adopted today, parties expressed support for new initiatives or coalitions aiming to improve human health and well-being, the health of ecosystems and to advance peace and security.

The Environment Minister stated that the Delhi Declaration is an ambitious statement of global action by each country on how to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality.

Attention was also drawn to the private sector’s role in land restoration, including through promoting sustainable value chains.