Make a donation

Activity

Change Human's Life at COP16 in Riyadh: commitment to land restoration and climate resilience

COP16 (16th Conference of the Parties) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December 2024, bringing together experts, policy makers and civil society representatives to discuss land restoration and climate resilience. The conference was a key venue for discussions on the impacts of climate change and desertification. The NGO Change Human’s Life (CHL), as a UNCCD-accredited organisation, actively contributed by highlighting its initiatives to combat desertification and promote the resilience of vulnerable communities, particularly in Africa and Côte d’Ivoire.

CHL at COP16: A Dedicated Delegation

At COP16, the Change Human’s Life delegation comprised three key members:

  • Hermann KOUAME – President of the NGO
  • Alexandre KOFFI – Projects Coordinator
  • Alain ACHOU – Communications Assistant

These representatives actively contributed to the conference, highlighting CHL’s projects and Côte d’Ivoire’s priorities in the fight against desertification.

A pavilion committed to combating desertification

Change Human’s Life hosted a pavilion throughout the conference, showcasing its sustainable land management (SLM) initiatives and the innovative solutions it has put in place to counter the effects of desertification. The NGO’s flagship projects included initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen the resilience of rural communities in Côte d’Ivoire.

The pavilion also raised awareness of the region’s environmental challenges, while providing a platform for exploring international partnerships and collaborations.

Key events: crucial conversations for the future

1. Side event: restoring the earth through action

The event, held on 6 December 2024, brought together experts and decision-makers to discuss land restoration strategies in the face of growing climate challenges. Among the speakers, Hermann KOUAME, President of CHL, emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral approaches to land restoration, stressing the need to integrate social, economic and environmental dimensions to ensure sustainable impacts.

2. Panel: agro-ecological transition and climate resilience

On 9 December 2024, CHL also took part in a panel discussion on agro-ecological transition and climate resilience. This panel explored sustainable land management initiatives and highlighted successful experiences in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Alexandre KOFFI, CHL’s project coordinator, presented concrete land restoration initiatives in the village of Zahakro in Côte d’Ivoire, showing how community involvement can strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.

At these events, CHL issued a number of calls for action, encouraging greater collaboration between civil society, governments and the private sector on land restoration. Among the key points, the NGO called for regional and international cooperation, the mobilisation of local communities, and access to climate finance.

There was a unanimous call to integrate inclusive and participatory approaches into policies to combat desertification, and to promote investment in research and knowledge sharing to support sustainable agro-ecological practices.

Change Human’s Life’s participation in COP28 helped to :

raise public awareness of the importance of local action to tackle climate change;
strengthen collaboration with French-speaking and international organisations, paving the way for new joint projects;
highlight the role of local communities in adapting to climate change.

Opportunities and prospects for CHL

Beyond the formal events, Change Human’s Life took advantage of COP16 to establish strategic partnerships and explore new funding opportunities for its projects. The NGO also reaffirmed its commitment to the initiatives of the UNCCD and the CSO Panel, aimed at strengthening collective action against desertification.

The main prospects for CHL following COP16 are :

Capitalise on the lessons learned from COP16 to enrich its programmes to combat desertification.
Strengthen collaboration with international institutions and civil society organisations.
Mobilise more resources to support sustainable land management projects.

A promising future for the fight against desertification

Change Human’s Life’s participation at COP16 highlighted the NGO’s significant efforts to combat desertification and strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities. Discussions highlighted the importance of collective action and international cooperation in tackling global environmental challenges. CHL continues to inspire change and play a key role in the fight against desertification, with a future focused on sustainable and inclusive solutions for future generations.

What might interest you

  • All Posts
  • Activity

We are working to create a more responsible society. Let’s build a better future together!

Information

About

Privacy policy

Terms and conditions

Contact Info

  • +225 2735977431
  • +225 05 45 11 18 91 / 01 01 38 12 62
  • contact@change-humans-life.org
  • Abobo Abdjan, Ivory Cost

Réseaux sociaux

© 2025 Copyright- Change Human’s Life

Website created by Catalys – www.catalysagenge.com