UNCCD COP17 Opens in Mongolia’s Capital

The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) officially opened today in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. The high-level meeting brings together delegates from nearly 200 countries to address the growing global crisis of land degradation, desertification, and drought. Mongolia, where over 70% of the land is affected by desertification, serves as a fitting host for the talks. The country’s own struggle with overgrazing, climate change, and shrinking pastures highlights the urgency of the agenda. Key priorities for the two-week summit include securing funding for land restoration projects, strengthening early warning systems for drought, and advancing commitments to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. Negotiators will also work on a new global framework to boost resilience in dryland communities, which are among the most vulnerable to climate shocks. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw opened the session by warning that “land is the foundation of food security, water access, and livelihoods. We cannot afford to lose it.” The meeting comes just months after the UN reported that 40% of the world’s land is now degraded, affecting half of humanity. Delegates are expected to release a joint declaration before the session ends on May 20.