Moscow/Bonn, 26 June 2026 — The Russian Federation and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on land restoration, sustainable rangeland management and drought resilience across Eurasia.
From 25 to 26 June, UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad visited Moscow, where she held meetings with representatives of the Russian government, the scientific community and international partners. Discussions focused on land degradation, drought, food security and sustainable natural resource management.
During the visit, meetings were held with Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative on Climate and Water Resources; Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Oksana Lut, Minister of Agriculture; and Alexander Alimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The participants discussed priority areas of cooperation to address land degradation across Eurasia, strengthen scientific exchange and enhance regional cooperation. Particular attention was given to preparations for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (COP17), which will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UNCCD and the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The agreement aims to strengthen the connection between science, policy and practical action to combat land degradation and drought.
Russia occupies an important place within the Eurasian rangeland system. According to expert estimates, the country possesses 70–80 million hectares of natural rangelands and pastures. These landscapes contribute to biodiversity conservation, support traditional land-use practices and promote sustainable rural development.
Eurasian rangelands extend for more than 8,000 kilometres from the Black Sea to the Mongolian Plateau and account for approximately one quarter of the world's rangelands. They play a vital role in ensuring food security, maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting climate adaptation.
Speaking during the meetings, Ruslan Edelgeriyev noted that preparations for COP17 are entering a decisive phase and emphasized the importance of developing common approaches and coordinated positions among countries of the region on land degradation and drought issues. He also highlighted the importance of the Silk Road Caravan, describing it as “a symbol of our shared responsibility for preserving land, water and ecosystems across Eurasia.”
UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad stressed that land degradation, drought and food insecurity transcend national borders and require collective responses.
“The Russian Federation has been an important partner of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and has made a significant contribution to international efforts to address land degradation, drought and promote sustainable land management.”
During the visit, the Executive Secretary also participated in the thirteenth meeting of the Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Northeast Asia Network (DLDD-NEAN), which was hosted by the Russian Federation for the first time. The platform brings together countries of the region to exchange scientific knowledge, develop joint solutions and strengthen cooperation on transboundary environmental issues.
The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 has drawn renewed attention to the importance of rangeland ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. In this context, the UNCCD Silk Road Caravan initiative has gained particular significance by showcasing practical examples of land restoration, drought resilience and support for pastoral communities.
Strengthening scientific partnerships, enhancing regional dialogue and implementing joint initiatives are helping countries across Eurasia build more resilient ecosystems, improve food security and increase the resilience of communities to growing environmental challenges.
📌 Source: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
