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, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, 2026.
This historic global event will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives of international organizations, scientific communities, civil society, and the private sector to find solutions to the interrelated challenges of desertification, land degradation, and drought.
COP17 will be held in the context of the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), providing a crucial global opportunity to highlight sustainable rangeland management and the needs of more than one billion people who depend directly on these vital ecosystems for their livelihoods.
During the two-week conference, participants will take part in a high-level segment featuring ministerial dialogues, as well as multi-stakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science-policy integration, innovation, solutions, technology, and finance. The event is expected to foster effective 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 for COP17 and raise awareness among the public and young people, Mongolia has already launched a series of national initiatives. One of the key upcoming events is the national forum “Youth4Land,” scheduled for June 16-17, 2025, in the city of Mandalgovi, Dundgovi Province, on the occasion of Desertification and Drought Day. This forum will bring together more than 100 young herders, researchers, and policymakers to jointly develop sustainable land solutions based on traditional knowledge and scientific evidence. This national initiative is part of the country’s efforts to implement the outcomes of previous UNCCD COPs and promote inclusive participation.
Mongolia’s ambitious development and environmental agenda, which includes the national “Billions of Trees” movement, the “White Gold” community-based rural development initiative, and the “Food Revolution” agricultural and soil initiative, positions the country as a model for regional and global action.
Hosting COP17 will provide a historic opportunity to take international cooperation on land, climate, and biodiversity to the next level.
This crucial conference will mark a significant step forward in uniting the world around solutions to the challenges of land degradation and climate change, thereby consolidating Mongolia’s contribution to building a sustainable and resilient future for all.
For more information, please contact:
UNCCD Press Office:
press@unccd.int
https://www.unccd.int/
@unccd
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia: https://www.mecc.gov.mn
