From Coordination to Joint Decisions: A Meeting of the Central Asia – Russia Intergovernmental Working Group was Held in Ulaanbaatar
16/08/2026
On 16 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, a meeting of the Central Asia–Russia Interregional Group (IRG) was held in the context of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).
The meeting brought together representatives of countries from the region, the UNCCD secretariat, and the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (SIC ICSD IFAS).
The discussion focused primarily on coordinating the participation of IRG countries in COP17. Participants exchanged information on upcoming official sessions, side events and national pavilion programmes, and coordinated approaches to delivering joint IRG statements at meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.
Particular attention was given to enhancing the international visibility of the experience accumulated by countries across the region. Participants emphasized the importance of sharing information on relevant events, supporting interventions by country representatives, and engaging international organizations, the scientific community and potential partners in the regional dialogue.
The meeting also provided an update on the preparation of two important IRG publications: the thematic report on land resources in Central Asia and the practical guide on assessing land degradation neutrality. These publications bring together the knowledge and practical experience of countries in the region and are intended to support the further development of scientific and technical cooperation.
The meeting provided a platform for exchanging views on regional priorities, coordinating countries’ participation in COP17 and exploring opportunities for further cooperation. Particular attention was paid to strengthening regional dialogue and promoting the experience of Central Asia and the Russian Federation within the framework of the Convention.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of joint action, scientific and technical exchange, and the promotion of regional solutions to combat desertification, land degradation and drought. Consultations and information exchange on matters of common interest will continue throughout COP17.
