Mongolia hosts UN desertification summit as drought crisis deepens

Mongolia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August. The event will bring together delegates from 196 countries and the European Union to discuss strategies for addressing land degradation, drought, and desertification across the globe.

The conference will feature high‑level sessions, technical workshops, and country‑specific case studies aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting sustainable land management, and mobilizing financial resources for vulnerable regions. Mongolia, which faces severe desertification challenges in its steppe and Gobi areas, will use the platform to showcase its national action plans and to seek international support for scaling up restoration projects.

By convening a broad coalition of governments, civil society, and experts, COP17 seeks to accelerate progress toward the Convention’s 2030 targets and to reinforce global cooperation against land degradation, ultimately contributing to climate resilience and sustainable development.