The COP16 on combatting desertification is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, addressing the critical issue affecting 40% of the world’s land and impacting 3.2 billion people. Experts stress the urgency of tackling drought, restoring land, and supporting vulnerable communities as desertification accelerates, particularly in Africa. Despite being lesser-known than climate and biodiversity conferences, COP16 aims to forge international agreements to combat soil degradation and its broader implications for food security and climate change adaptation.