Mongolia to host UNCCD COP17 in August 2026

Mongolia, with a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometers, is experiencing land degradation across approximately 76.9 per cent of its land.

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 17 to 28 August 2026.

This landmark global event will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, heads of state, ministers, representatives from international organizations, 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 kilometers, is experiencing land degradation across approximately 76.9 per cent of its land. Recognizing 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 16–17 June 2025 in Mandalgovi city, Dundgovi Province, in observance of Desertification and Drought Day. This 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.

This pivotal 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.

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia: www.mecc.gov.mn

About UNCCD

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change, and prevents biodiversity loss.

About the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

On the initiative of Mongolia, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) to enhance rangeland management and the lives of pastoralists. With this declaration, UN Member States are called upon to invest in sustainable rangeland management, to restore degraded lands, to improve market access by pastoralists, to enhance livestock extension services and to fill knowledge gaps on rangelands and pastoralism. The IYRP 2026 will coincide with the UNCCD COP17 to be hosted by Mongolia.

https://iyrp.info

Kontakt: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) | press@unccd.int | www.unccd.int

Umwelt | Klima, 29.05.2025