RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 20 July 2025 – The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm, has been officially accredited as an observer organization for the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This accreditation marks a significant milestone in the Institute’s mission to drive meaningful impact for humanity and the planet.
The UNCCD, established in 1994 and comprising 197 Parties, is the world’s only legally binding framework focused on combating desertification, reversing land degradation, and mitigating the impacts of drought. As an accredited civil society organization (CSO), the FII Institute will contribute to policy discussions, knowledge-sharing, and multistakeholder collaborations at COP16 and beyond.
Richard Attias, Chairman of the FII Institute Executive Committee and Acting CEO, commented:
“Our mission at the FII Institute aligns powerfully with the UNCCD’s goals—to build a safer, more just, and more sustainable future. Observer status opens a vital channel for collaboration with governments, scientists, policymakers, and global leaders. We are committed to contributing actionable insights and bold ideas to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: land degradation.”
The FII Institute actively supports global sustainability initiatives through education, strategic investments, and research. Its work spans zero-carbon innovation, food and water security, biodiversity preservation, and anti-deforestation efforts—areas that will be further advanced through engagement with the UNCCD community.
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About FII Institute
FII Institute is a global nonprofit with a single pressing agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global, inclusive and driven by data, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions and actions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability. https://fii-institute.org/
For media inquiries, registration, and further details, please contact media@fii-institute.org
