In accordance with Decision 5/COP.16, the UNCCD Secretariat is supporting the development of Terms of Reference (ToR) for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Caucus and a Local Communities Caucus under the Convention.As part of this process, the Secretariat has been holding consultations since COP16, including the convening of a series of online consultations with Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and Parties to the UNCCD to gather inputs, perspectives and recommendations on the proposed structures, participation modalities and governance approaches of the future caucuses.The consultations aimed to strengthen the effective, meaningful and inclusive participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in UNCCD processes and decision-making, while ensuring that the future caucuses reflect their representativeness, priorities, knowledge systems and governance structures.The Draft Terms of Reference are now available for review:UNCCD Indigenous Peoples CaucusUNCCD Local Communities CaucusParties are invited to submit written comments and feedback by 15 June 2026 to: cso@unccd.intPlease indicate the relevant subject line:“Comments on the draft TOR Indigenous Peoples Caucus”Or “Comments on the draft TOR Local Communities Caucus”The inputs received will help further strengthen the inclusivity, representativeness and collective ownership of the future caucuses under the UNCCD.

By Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Antalya – Türkiye

The UNCCD secretariat is launching the second round of the UNCCD Women Delegates Fund (WDF) training ahead of COP17 to support the participation and effective engagement of women delegates in the UNCCD process and negotiations. Building on the successful first WDF training implemented at CRIC23 in Panama City, the programme aims to strengthen women’s leadership, negotiation capacities and meaningful participation in multilateral environmental processes.UNCCD COP17 will convene in Ulaanbaatar from 17–28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.” As the global conference of the only legally binding international treaty addressing land degradation and drought, COP17 is expected to bring together governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, youth, women’s organizations and the private sector to advance solutions for land restoration, drought resilience  and sustainable land management.The Women Delegates Fund contributes to the implementation of the UNCCD Gender Action Plan (GAP), including its Roadmap which aims to strengthen women’s participation and leadership across all levels of UNCCD decision-making and implementation. Through targeted support and capacity-building activities, the WDF seeks to enhance women delegates’ ability to engage effectively in negotiations and contribute meaningfully to the COP17 process.The initiative is open to women delegates from developing country Parties eligible under the UNCCD Special Trust Fund for Participation, with priority given to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Governments from all Regional Implementation Annexes are invited to nominate one eligible woman delegate from their official COP17 delegation.Selected participants will benefit from:Participation support for COP17Capacity-building and negotiation support activitiesPre-COP briefings and networking opportunities with fellow women delegatesApplications must be submitted by National Focal Points through an official nomination letter, including the CV or short biography of the proposed delegate. Detailed information is available in the right-hand menu