From 17 to 28 August 2026, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, will host the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17). Today, Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) announced the official COP17 slogan: “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
The theme emphasizes the critical role of land restoration for food security, community resilience, and sustainable socio-economic development. The conference will bring together delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties, government and business leaders, scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and smallholder farmers to develop practical solutions for desertification, land degradation, and drought.
Mongolia, where nearly 77% of the land is already degraded, hosts COP17 during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, highlighting the importance of sustainable rangeland management and support for pastoralist livelihoods.
In preparation for COP17, Mongolia has launched national initiatives including the “Billion Trees” Campaign, Youth4Land Forum, and engages the private sector through the Business 4 Land Initiative.
📌 Source: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
