Everything ties us human beings to the land

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Everything ties us human beings to the land

Everything ties us human beings to the land
For millions of people whose only assets are the lands they tend, land degradation represents their economic downfall. (AFP)
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No matter what country you live in, your background or your beliefs, whether you are wealthy or poor, whether you live in the city or the country, we, fellow human beings, share the same umbilical cord: land. 

This statement, so obvious as to be trite, came to light recently in Riyadh at COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification — the only global treaty addressing the existential challenges of land degradation and drought.

Land provides us with everything: the air we breathe, the water that keeps us hydrated, the clothes that cover us and protect us from the rigours of the seasons, and of course the food that sustains us.

Everything links us to the land, even though we take it for granted or assume, mistakenly, that it has unlimited resources.

At COP16, scientists sounded an alarm: we are exceeding the limits beyond which we are jeopardizing our own security. Relayed by local authorities and appeals from the indigenous peoples who have turned out en masse, the messages could not be clearer.

With up to 40 percent of productive land already degraded while the needs of a growing population increase, we are heading for a precipice. The land is suffocating under the cumulative weight of more frequent droughts and growing aridity.

The loss of fertile land not only has consequences for ecosystems and nature: the decline in agricultural productivity is leading to food insecurity, forced migration, and conflict, exacerbated by the scarcity of water.

The loss of fertile land not only has consequences for ecosystems and nature: the decline in agricultural productivity is leading to food insecurity, forced migration, and conflict.

Ibrahim Thiaw

For millions of people, particularly indigenous peoples, whose only assets are the lands they tend year after year, land degradation represents their economic downfall.

Loss of soil fertility is a source of concern for human health. We now know that good quality food is the best medicine. Beyond the notions of food security and food sovereignty, we now have to worry about the quality of nutrition. It is not just about eating enough, but eating well.

With the onset of climate change, the world is experiencing an increase in the frequency and severity of droughts, jeopardizing harvests and undermining the social structures of the most vulnerable communities. Indeed, the least well-off countries suffer appalling economic losses every time a drought hits.

The time has come for humanity to better anticipate, better prepare, and shield itself against these phenomena.

This is the essence of the Riyadh Global Partnership on Drought Resilience, launched on the first day of COP16 to provide substantial support to the 80 countries most vulnerable to drought. 

We must take stock of the planet’s health and reduce our vulnerability, so that future generations can enjoy a prosperous and peaceful future.

Ibrahim Thiaw is under-secretary-general of the UN and executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

French prosecutors won’t investigate sexual abuse allegations against revered priest Abbé Pierre

Abbe Pierre addresses journalists in his home of Alfortville, east of Paris, on Aug. 5, 2005. (AP)
Abbe Pierre addresses journalists in his home of Alfortville, east of Paris, on Aug. 5, 2005. (AP)
Updated 6 min 52 sec ago
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French prosecutors won’t investigate sexual abuse allegations against revered priest Abbé Pierre

Abbe Pierre addresses journalists in his home of Alfortville, east of Paris, on Aug. 5, 2005. (AP)
  • Abbé Pierre was a French Catholic priest renowned for his dedication to aiding the poor and homeless, and was long seen as the conscience of France

PARIS: The Paris prosecutor said Tuesday it cannot investigate allegations by several women who said they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Abbé Pierre, a nationally revered priest and humanitarian crusader who died in 2007.
The allegations against him first surfaced last year and were detailed in an internal report by Abbé Pierre’s foundations. The French Catholic Church last month asked prosecutors to initiate an investigation, saying it wanted to uncover the full extent of the abuse, any other victims and any systemic cover-up.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said Tuesday that it looked into legal options, but that Abbé Pierre’s death makes it impossible to open an investigation into his past actions.
It also studied whether to investigate those who covered up or failed to report the abuse allegations, but because of statute of limitations, no investigation is possible.
Abbé Pierre was a French Catholic priest renowned for his dedication to aiding the poor and homeless, and was long seen as the conscience of France. In 1949, he founded the Emmaüs movement, an international organization focused on combating poverty and homelessness.
The allegations against him were an important step in France’s broader reckoning with clerical abuse.
In July 2024, Emmaüs International and the Fondation Abbé Pierre released a report detailing accusations from seven women, including one who was a minor at the time, alleging sexual assault and harassment by Abbé Pierre between the late 1970s and 2005. A dedicated channel for victims led to 17 additional accusations, with incidents reportedly occurring from the 1950s to the 2000s across various countries, including France, the United States, Morocco and Switzerland.

 


Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
Updated 9 min 46 sec ago
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Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
  • Malcom opens the scoring after just 10 minutes as his team cruise to a 4-1 victory over Persepolis of Iran
  • Joao Cancelo adds a second before Salem Al-Dawsari steals the show during the remainder of the first half with 2 impressive goals

RIYADH: Al-Hilal strolled to a 4-1 home victory over Iranian side Persepolis on Tuesday to return to the top of their AFC Champions League Elite qualifying group with one game remaining.
The Saudis, who had already secured their place in the round of 16, were four goals to the good before half time. Malcom opened the scoring with just 10 minutes on the clock, the Brazilian winger skipping past two defenders and into the area before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz.
The four-time champions continued to press and were rewarded when Joao Cancelo added a second after 24 minutes. The former Manchester City star picked up possession on the right-hand corner of the box and drilled a low shot into the opposite bottom corner, though Guendouz should perhaps have got a stronger hand to it.


The remainder of the first half was the Salem Al-Dawsari show. With seven minutes remaining, the lively Malcom slipped the ball through a crowded area for Al-Dawsari, the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, to skip past the goalkeeper and slot home from the narrowest of angles.
His second, and his team’s fourth, was the best of the night. A minute into first-half stoppage time, Cancelo sent over a beautiful pass from the touchline that made it all the way to a central position, just outside the area, and there was Al-Dawsari charging up to blast the ball into the top corner with the most fluent of first-time shots.
With the game already won, the second half was a much quieter affair. Two minutes from the end, though, Persepolis were awarded a penalty when Ali Al-Bulaihi, who had just come on as a substitute, brought down Issa Alkasir. Giorgi Gvelesiani stepped up to give his team a consolation goal.
This could not spoil the night for Al-Hilal, however, who have 19 points from a possible 21. The result also meant that the penultimate round of games in the group stage was another perfect one for all three representatives of the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr winning on Monday. Al-Ahli trail Al-Hilal only on goal difference, while Al-Nassr are three points behind on 16 points and guaranteed at least third place in the group.


Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage

Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage
Updated 2 min 1 sec ago
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Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage

Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage
  • Event offers deep dive into Kingdom’s rich tradition
  • Locals, visitors explore Saudi literature

RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival brings together literary enthusiasts, publishers, and celebrated authors and provides a deep dive into Saudi Arabia’s rich storytelling traditions and evolving literary landscape.

The event, which lasts until Feb. 8, features panel discussions, book signings, live performances, and interactive experiences.

The festival is attracting a diverse audience, including international visitors who engage with Saudi authors to explore locally published books.

One of the standout sessions, “The Roots of the Tale,” featured renowned Saudi novelist and journalist Badryah Al-Bishr, who spoke about the transformation of storytelling into modern literature.

Al-Bishr said: “My participation was all about tracing the wisdom of storytelling to the structure of novels. Since I studied folk tales in my master’s degree while also writing novels, I explored how traditional narratives evolved before written literature.

“Societies have always needed this literary and cultural influence — it serves deep and indirect functions, whether in raising children, comforting sorrowful hearts, or inspiring values and ideals.

“This is what we now call ‘soft power.’ Storytelling has always shaped minds, transferring across cultures like the tale of ‘Cinderella,’ which exists in Russia, Europe, and even Najd.”

A key aspect of the festival is its focus on showcasing Saudi literature to international visitors, offering translations and accessible editions of local works.

Modi Al-Dossari, from the Tashkeel Publishing House, noted the growing interest from foreign attendees, and added: “We’re working on something big here at the festival.

“The visitors are quite diverse, including many foreigners eager to learn about our culture.

“At Tashkeel we have Saudi books and stories translated into English, and they are among our bestsellers. It’s amazing to see our culture being shared in such a smooth and accessible way.”

The availability of translated Saudi literature has helped bridge the gap between local storytelling and a global readership, highlighting the richness of Saudi narratives and their universal appeal.

Beyond book discussions, the Diriyah Storytelling Festival provides visitors with a fully immersive cultural experience, allowing them to explore the historic and artistic depth of Diriyah.

Entry to the festival costs SR40 ($10.66) per person, which includes access to all three locations — Bujairi Terrace, Bab Samhan Hotel, and Al-Zuhayra — as well as shuttle transportation between the venues and parking areas.

The festival also features restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops, making it an ideal destination for both literary and cultural exploration.

Hind Mohammed, who was attending, said: “I loved visiting Diriyah, especially Bujairi Terrace. It’s such a beautiful and enriching experience, with a vibrant atmosphere, and fantastic cafes, restaurants, and children’s play areas.”

Visitors can witness the breathtaking sunset over Diriyah’s landscape — and see a combination of golden light, traditional architecture and peaceful surroundings creating a spectacular and serene experience.

Saudi Arabia’s literary scene has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with increasing global recognition for local authors and their works. Events like the Diriyah Storytelling Festival contribute to this transformation by providing a platform for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.


Trump says he would like to close Dept of Education with executive action

Trump says he would like to close Dept of Education with executive action
Updated 18 min 13 sec ago
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Trump says he would like to close Dept of Education with executive action

Trump says he would like to close Dept of Education with executive action
  • “We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list,” Trump said
  • Such defunding could be part of an effort by Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would like to be able to close the federal Department of Education using an executive order.
“We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list. We’re ranked very badly. And what I want to do is let the states run schools,” Trump said in comments to reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump said he thought he would work with Congress and the teachers union to bring about the changes.
A White House official said on Monday that the Trump administration will take steps to defund the department and an announcement on the planned actions may come later in February.
Such defunding could be part of an effort by Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, chaired by billionaire Elon Musk, to identify fraud and wasteful government spending.
Republicans were critical of the Education Department under former President Joe Biden, particularly over student loan forgiveness and policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Trump has already issued executive orders to dismantle DEI programs across the federal government. ABC News reported on Monday that dozens of Department of Education employees received letters as business hours closed on Friday placing them on administrative leave.


Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities

Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities
Updated 27 min 51 sec ago
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Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities

Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities
  • Mohammed Al-Shaar was an nterior minister from 2011 to 2018 at the height of Syria’s civil war
  • He was the target of EU sanctions for involvement in 'violence against demonstrators'

DAMASCUS: A former minister under ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad has turned himself in, the interior ministry said Tuesday, making him one of the highest-profile figures captured by the new authorities.
“The minister of interior in the government of the defunct regime, Mohammed Al-Shaar, surrendered himself to the General Security Department,” an interior ministry statement said.
Shaar, the target of US and EU sanctions, was interior minister from 2011 to 2018 at the height of Syria’s 13-year civil war.
The security forces of the new authorities, which toppled the Assad government late last year, had been looking for Shaar and “raided sites where he had been hiding in the past few days,” the interior ministry said.
Since 2011, Shaar has been under European Union sanctions for involvement in “violence against demonstrators” who took to the streets that year to demand democracy.
The government’s brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests sparked a complex civil war that has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.
Shaar was also among top officials, including Assad, who were slapped with US sanctions in 2011.
In 2012, a Lebanese lawyer filed a lawsuit against Shaar, accusing him of having ordered hundreds of killings in Tripoli in 1986 when he was in charge of security in the northern Lebanon port city.
Also in 2012, Shaar survived two bomb attacks.
In December, he sustained light wounds to the shoulder after a deadly suicide bombing at the ministry, a Syrian security source told AFP at the time.
That attack was claimed by Al-Nusra Front, the jihadist precursor of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group which led the lightning rebel offensive that toppled Assad on December 8.
And in July 2012, Shaar narrowly escaped death in a bombing that killed four senior security officials including the defense minister and Assad’s brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat.
Assad himself has fled to Russia, an ally of his defunct government, and some former officials in his administration are also believed to have left Syria.