The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17–28 August 2026, bringing together governments, scientists, development partners, businesses, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, and civil society organizations to accelerate global action against land degradation, desertification, and drought.

As the first of the three Rio Conventions to meet in 2026, UNCCD COP17 is expected to shape international cooperation on land restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The conference carries the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” emphasizing that restoring healthy ecosystems is essential for protecting livelihoods, strengthening economies, improving food security, and addressing climate change.

What is UNCCD COP17?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the only legally binding international agreement focused specifically on combating desertification, promoting sustainable land management, and reducing the impacts of drought.

COP17 will bring together representatives from 197 Parties to discuss practical solutions for restoring degraded land and strengthening global resilience against environmental challenges.

When and Where Will COP17 Take Place?

Event: 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17)
Host Country: Mongolia
Host City: Ulaanbaatar
Dates: 17–28 August 2026

Why COP17 Matters

Land degradation has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental and development challenges.

According to information presented for COP17:

Up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded.
More than 3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation.
By 2050, three out of every four people could face drought-related challenges.
The global community has committed to restoring one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Healthy land supports agriculture, biodiversity, clean water, climate regulation, economic growth, and community resilience. COP17 aims to turn international commitments into measurable action.

Theme: Restoring Land, Restoring Hope

The conference centers on the idea that restoring degraded land creates benefits far beyond environmental protection.

Major themes include:

Restoring Land, Restoring Hope
Restoring Land, Restoring Climate
Restoring Land, Restoring Water Supply
Restoring Land, Restoring Economies
Restoring Land, Restoring Health
Restoring Land, Restoring Life
Restoring Land, Restoring Culture

These themes highlight the close connection between healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing.

Key Issues on the COP17 Agenda

The conference will focus on advancing solutions in several priority areas, including:

Land Restoration

Countries will discuss strategies for restoring degraded ecosystems through sustainable land management and long-term investment.

Desertification

Delegates will explore ways to combat desertification affecting dryland regions across the globe while improving resilience for vulnerable communities.

Drought Resilience

Strengthening preparedness and adaptation to increasing drought risks remains a central priority.

Sustainable Land Management

Participants will examine policies and practices that balance environmental conservation with agricultural productivity and rural development.

Financing and Partnerships

COP17 aims to strengthen international cooperation, mobilize investment, and support practical implementation of land restoration initiatives.

Why Mongolia Was Chosen

Mongolia provides a unique setting for COP17 because it faces significant challenges associated with climate change and desertification.

According to the conference information:

Mongolia is among the countries most affected by global warming.
Approximately 76.9% of Mongolia’s land is affected by desertification.
Climate change, overgrazing, and unsustainable land use continue to increase environmental pressures.
Mongolia’s ecosystems include fragile steppes, deserts, and mountain regions that are highly sensitive to degradation.

These conditions make Mongolia an important location for showcasing practical solutions for sustainable land management.

Mongolia’s Leadership

Mongolia has positioned itself as a global leader on rangeland conservation and sustainable pastoralism.

The country highlights:

Long-standing nomadic land management traditions
Leadership in the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP)
Commitment to international environmental cooperation
Support for integrated climate and land restoration initiatives

Strategic Initiatives

Several major initiatives will be highlighted during COP17.

Steppe Action Agenda

A proposed long-term framework intended to maintain momentum after the conference by promoting partnerships, investment, and practical action for drylands and rangelands.

Water-Land Nexus Initiative

A Mongolia-led initiative promoting climate-resilient solutions through integrated groundwater and land management.

Rangelands Flagship Initiative

A global platform supporting sustainable management and restoration of rangelands while contributing to Land Degradation Neutrality goals.

Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure

This initiative promotes infrastructure approaches that reduce climate risks while generating environmental and community benefits.

COP17 and the Triple COP Year

The year 2026 is particularly significant because all three Rio Convention Conferences of the Parties will take place during the same year:

UNCCD COP17 – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
CBD COP17 – Yerevan, Armenia
UNFCCC COP31 – Antalya, Türkiye

This alignment provides an opportunity to strengthen coordination across land, biodiversity, and climate policies.

Who Will Participate?

COP17 will bring together a broad range of stakeholders, including:

National governments
United Nations agencies
Researchers and scientists
Businesses
Indigenous Peoples
Pastoralists
Youth organizations
Women’s groups
Civil society organizations
Development partners

The conference emphasizes inclusive participation and practical collaboration to address global land challenges.

Expected Outcomes

COP17 aims to strengthen international efforts to:

Restore degraded land
Improve drought resilience
Protect ecosystems
Support sustainable agriculture
Enhance food and water security
Mobilize financing
Strengthen partnerships
Promote sustainable livelihoods

The conference seeks to transform political commitments into practical actions that benefit communities worldwide.

Final Thoughts

UNCCD COP17 represents a major milestone in global efforts to restore degraded landscapes and build resilience against desertification and drought. By bringing together governments, researchers, local communities, and international organizations in Mongolia, the conference aims to accelerate progress toward sustainable land management while strengthening links between climate action, biodiversity conservation, food security, and economic development.

As environmental challenges continue to intensify worldwide, COP17 provides an important opportunity to advance collaborative solutions that restore land, improve livelihoods, and create a more resilient future for generations to come.

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UNCCD COP17 Mongolia 2026: Global Summit on Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought