The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be hosted by Mongolia in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, 2026.
The landmark global event will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives from international organisations, scientific communities, civil society, and the private sector to forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought.
Mongolia, with a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometres, is experiencing land degradation across approximately 76.9 per cent of its land. Recognising the critical role of land management in addressing the triple environmental crisis, the country has become a key voice in global efforts to combat desertification and enhance land resilience.
Mongolia’s ambitious development agendas – particularly its interconnected national movements on environment and agriculture – position the country as a strategic host for COP17 of the UNCCD.
COP17 will be convened in alignment with the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), offering a crucial global opportunity to highlight sustainable rangeland management and the needs of more than one billion people who directly depend on these vital ecosystems for their livelihoods.
During the two-week conference, participants will engage in a high-level segment that includes ministerial dialogues, along with multi-stakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science–policy integration, innovation, solutions, technology, and financing. The event is expected to foster impactful collaboration and action across sectors, advancing the goals of sustainable land management, ecosystem and land restoration, and the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.
To build momentum toward COP17 and increase public awareness and youth engagement, Mongolia has already launched a series of national initiatives. One key upcoming event is the “Youth4Land” national forum, scheduled for June 16–17, 2025, in Mandalgovi city, Dundgovi Province, in observance of Desertification and Drought Day.
The forum will bring together over 100 young herders, researchers, and policymakers to co-develop sustainable land solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This national initiative is part of the country’s efforts to implement outcomes from previous UNCCD COPs and promote inclusive participation.
Mongolia’s strong development and environmental agenda – including the national “Billions of Trees” movement, the “White Gold” community-based rural development initiative, and the “Food Revolution” agri-soil initiative – positions the country as a regional and global model of action.
Hosting COP17 will provide a historic opportunity to elevate international cooperation on land, climate, and biodiversity to a new level, according to the UNCCD.
According to the UN body, the conference will mark a significant step forward in uniting the world around solutions to land degradation and climate challenges, solidifying Mongolia’s contribution to building a sustainable and resilient future for all.