Negotiators fail to reach drought agreement at UN talks in Riyadh

Negotiators at the UN talks in Riyadh failed to reach a binding agreement on drought response, concluding the 12-day meeting without a deal. The talks, part of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, aimed to establish a global drought protocol. While significant progress was made, parties acknowledged the need for more time to finalize a framework. The next meeting, COP17, is scheduled for 2026 in Mongolia, where discussions will continue. African nations sought a binding protocol to ensure accountability, while developed countries preferred a less strict framework. Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Saudi Arabia announced initiatives to address desertification and enhance cooperation on land management.