Wildfires and Heatwaves Push $12bn UN Drought Deal into Spotlight

As the northern hemisphere endures what may become the hottest year on record, wildfires are raging across North America and Europe, while heatwaves hit millions in Asia. Against this backdrop, the UN’s biennial talks on desertification have gained new urgency—and new money. This week, delegates from scores of countries will gather in Mongolia for Cop17, the UN summit focused on drought and land degradation. Their main task: deciding how to allocate more than $12bn (£8.9bn) to vulnerable nations struggling with these crises. The funds, described as a “war chest” by organizers, aim to help countries adapt to increasingly dry conditions and restore degraded land. Extreme weather events in recent months have underscored the need for action, as droughts and wildfires become more frequent and severe. The summit’s outcome will be closely watched, as nations seek practical ways to turn pledged money into on-the-ground resilience.