4As part of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2–13, 2024, the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) organized a side event in collaboration with the League of Arab States. The session focused on the interconnections between water, energy, food security, and ecosystems, attracting a diverse audience of experts and civil society representatives from across the Arab region.

The session, moderated by Eng. Saadia Hassoon, President of the “Together for Human and Environment Protection” Association and RAED’s national coordinator in Iraq, featured contributions from:

• Dr. Emad Adly, General Coordinator of RAED and President of the Egyptian Sustainable Development Forum’s Board of Trustees,
• Dr. Hala Yousry, Sociology Professor and Deputy Rapporteur of the Rural Women Committee at the National Council for Women,
• Dr. Mohamed Ftouhi, President of the Moroccan Club for Environment and Development, RAED’s National Coordinator for Morocco, and Assistant Regional Coordinator for the Maghreb,
• Hala Murad, President of the Dibeen Association for Environmental Development in Jordan.

Hosted at the League of Arab States’ pavilion, the event highlighted the intricate connections among food, water and energy security, exploring how these domains influence each other. Discussions addressed challenges and solutions for promoting sustainability, particularly in desertification-prone regions, while exploring policies and practices to balance resource consumption and ensure sustainable access to food, water, and energy for future generations.

Key topics included:

• Water Resource Management in Arid Regions: Advanced irrigation techniques, rainwater harvesting, and innovative solutions to address water scarcity, such as desalination.
• Agricultural Innovation: Developing drought-resistant crops, enhancing agricultural practices under climate change, and sustainable techniques like hydroponics and soil-less farming. AI-driven advancements in agricultural productivity were also discussed.
• Energy Sustainability in the Arab Region: Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, improving energy efficiency in agriculture and water sectors, and innovations in energy storage to provide sustainable power for rural and agricultural areas. Technological innovation to reduce energy consumption in agricultural industries was emphasized.
• Desertification Impacts: Effects on food, water, and energy security, as well as ecosystems. Solutions included rehabilitating degraded lands, adopting sustainable farming methods, and reducing energy use in desertification-affected regions. Discussions also addressed the socio-economic challenges tied to food, water, and energy security, the impact of climate change on rural livelihoods, and the roles of government policies and private sector investments in supporting affected communities and funding sustainable technologies.

The discussions underscored the Arab region’s limited freshwater resources, with most countries experiencing increasing stress due to climate change and rapid population growth. Heavy reliance on food imports leaves the region vulnerable to price fluctuations and global crises, exacerbating food security challenges. Participants concluded that efficient water management is fundamental to food security, while clean, sustainable energy depends on modern technologies to optimize resource use and support food production. An integrated approach is essential to addressing these interlinked challenges and ensuring stability and security for future generations.