Discover UNCCD COP17 Mongolia 2026, the global summit on land restoration, desertification, drought resilience, climate action, and sustainable development taking place in Ulaanbaatar from 17–28 August 2026.
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, businesses, Indigenous Peoples, youth, civil society, and development partners to advance global action on land restoration and drought resilience.
As the first of the three Rio Convention conferences scheduled for 2026, COP17 is expected to help shape international cooperation on land, biodiversity, and climate while accelerating efforts to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen sustainable land management worldwide.
About UNCCD COP17
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the world’s only legally binding international agreement focused specifically on sustainable land management and combating desertification in drylands.
According to the conference information, 197 Parties will come together in Mongolia to address the growing impacts of land degradation, desertification, drought, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
Theme
The official theme of COP17 is:
“Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.”
The conference emphasizes that restoring healthy land also supports:
- Climate resilience
- Water security
- Biodiversity conservation
- Human health
- Economic development
- Cultural preservation
- Sustainable livelihoods
Why COP17 Matters
The conference highlights the urgency of addressing global land degradation.
Key facts presented by the organizers include:
- Up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, affecting more than 3.2 billion people.
- By 2050, three out of four people could face drought conditions.
- Countries have committed to restoring one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, with COP17 serving as a platform to turn commitments into action.
Why Mongolia?
Mongolia was selected as the host country because of its unique environmental conditions and experience with land degradation.
According to the conference materials:
- Mongolia is among the countries most affected by climate change.
- Approximately 76.9% of the country’s land is affected by desertification.
- The country’s ecosystems—including steppes, deserts, and mountain regions—provide an important setting for sharing solutions on sustainable land management.
- Mongolia also highlights its long tradition of rotational herding and sustainable rangeland management.
Major Conference Priorities
COP17 will focus on practical solutions related to:
Land Restoration
Promoting large-scale restoration of degraded land to improve food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience.
Drought Resilience
Developing coordinated responses to increasing drought risks affecting vulnerable communities worldwide.
Sustainable Land Management
Encouraging better land-use practices that balance environmental conservation with economic development.
Rangelands and Pastoralism
Giving particular attention to pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, and communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy rangelands.
Climate Action
Highlighting land restoration as a key strategy for carbon sequestration, climate adaptation, and ecosystem resilience.
Strategic Initiatives
The conference will showcase several major initiatives, including:
- Steppe Action Agenda — a legacy framework intended to promote long-term partnerships, investment, and action beyond COP17.
- Water–Land Nexus Initiative — a Mongolia-led effort to strengthen integrated, science-based approaches linking groundwater, land, and climate resilience.
- Rangelands Flagship Initiative — supporting conservation, sustainable management, and restoration of rangelands.
- Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure — promoting infrastructure approaches that reduce climate risks while benefiting ecosystems and communities.
Triple COP Year
The organizers note that 2026 marks the “Triple COP” year, bringing together meetings of all three Rio Conventions:
- UNCCD COP17 — Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- CBD COP17 — Yerevan, Armenia
- UNFCCC COP31 — Antalya, Türkiye
This alignment is intended to strengthen cooperation across land, biodiversity, and climate agendas.
Who Will Participate?
COP17 is expected to bring together:
- Government representatives
- United Nations agencies
- Scientists and researchers
- Civil society organizations
- Indigenous Peoples
- Youth leaders
- Women’s organizations
- Businesses
- Development partners
- Environmental experts
- International organizations
Venue and Dates
- Event: UNCCD COP17
- Location: National Garden Park, Bayanzurkh District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Dates: 17–28 August 2026
Why This Summit Is Important
UNCCD COP17 provides a global platform for advancing cooperation on one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. By bringing together nearly every Party to the Convention, the conference aims to strengthen commitments on land restoration, improve drought resilience, and support sustainable development through practical, collaborative action.
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