JOURNAL

Monday, 17 August 2026

1st meeting

Opening of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties by the President of the sixteenth session

His Excellency Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha opened the session and delivered an opening statement on behalf of the President of the Conference of the Parties at its sixteenth session.  

Election of the President [item 1 (a)]  

The Conference elected by acclamation Her Excellency Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, as President of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17).  

The President made a statement.  

Welcoming remarks were made by Ms. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.  

Statements were made by the representatives of Côte d’Ivoire (on behalf of the African Group), India (on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group), Paraguay (on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group), the European Union, Spain (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Northern Mediterranean (Annex IV)), Egypt (on behalf of the League of Arab States) and Azerbaijan (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)).  

A statement was also made by a representative of civil society.  

Organizational matters: Adoption of the agenda and organization of work including the sessions of the subsidiary bodies [item 1 (b)]  

The Conference began its consideration of the item.

Statements were made by the Russian Federation, Brazil, United States, India and the European Union.

The Conference adopted the provisional agenda without items 3, 4, 5 (only as related to gender matters) and 8(a) and deferred the adoption of those agenda items to a later date on the understanding that additional consultations would take place.  

Election of officers other than the President [item 1 (c)] 

Election of Vice-Presidents  

The Conference elected as Vice-Presidents of its seventeenth session: Mr. Jean Kouakou Kouadio of Côte D’Ivoire and Mr. David Payang of Cameroon (group of African States), Ms. Tekura Moeka'a of the Cook Islands (group of Asia-Pacific States), Ms. Laís Loredo Gama of Brazil and Mr. Karomo Browne of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (group of Latin American and Caribbean States), and Ms. Philippine Dutailly of France and Ms. Stephanie Piers de Raveschoot  of Switzerland (group of Western European and Other States).  

Accreditation of intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations and representatives from the private sector, and admission of observers [item 1 (e)] 

The representative of Azerbaijan made a statement.

The Conference decided to accredit, as observers, the organizations and private sector entities, as listed in documents ICCD/COP(17)/INF.6.

Organization of work, including the sessions of the subsidiary bodies [item 1 (f)]  

The Conference adopted its proposed schedule of work for the session. The Conference decided to establish a Committee of the Whole and to allocate to the Committee the agenda items included in the adopted agenda.  

The Conference designated Mr. Khalid Cherki of Morocco as the Chair of the Committee of the Whole.  

The meeting was adjourned. 

2nd meeting     

Formal Statements  

The President opened the meeting.  

Statements were made by the following representatives: Cook Islands (on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States), Turkmenistan (on behalf of UNCCD Interregional Group Central Asia-Russia), Canada, France, Chile, Ukraine, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, Australia, Republic of Moldova, Suriname, Italy, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Kenya, Russian Federation, Bangladesh, Algeria, Armenia, Syrian Arab Republic, Mexico, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, United States, Guyana, Peru, Pakistan, Sudan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Iran (Islamic Republic of) and Azerbaijan.

A statement was also made by the representative of the following intergovernmental organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Statements were also made by representatives of the following entities of the United Nations system: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).  

1st meeting

The Chair (Morocco) made an introductory statement.

Allocation of agenda items and organization of work of the Committee of the Whole

The Chair made a statement regarding the agenda items allocated to the Committee by the Conference of the Parties.

Establishment of contact groups and appointment of facilitators

The Committee decided to establish the following contact groups: contact group 1 on programme and budget to be facilitated by the Chair until a facilitator had been proposed, and contact group 2 on other COW-related matters to be facilitated by Ms. Marine Collignon of France.

The Russian Federation made a statement.

The Chair made a statement.

Programme and budget biennium 2027–2028 [item 7]

- Programme and budget for the biennium 2027–2028

- Financial performance for the Convention trust funds

- Report on the status of contributions to the Convention trust funds (2025-2026)

The Committee began its consideration of the topics.

Introductory statements were made by the UNCCD secretariat and the representatives of the United Nations Board of Auditors (pre-recorded video presentation).

Statements were made by the European Union, Brazil, China, Japan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Morocco, Syrian Arab Republic, State of Palestine, and a representative of civil society.

The UNCCD secretariat responded to comments made from the floor.

- Report of the Evaluation Office

The Committee began its consideration of the topic.

An introductory statement was made by the UNCCD secretariat.

A statement was made by the representative of the African Union.

The UNCCD secretariat responded to comments made from the floor.

The Committee decided that further discussions on item 7 be taken up in COW contact group 1.

Policy frameworks and thematic issues [item 5]

The Committee began its consideration of the item.

- Drought

An introductory statement was made by the UNCCD secretariat.

Statements were made by Togo, South Africa (on behalf of the African Group), the European Union, Suriname, Republic of Korea, Oman, Brazil, Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon, Morocco, United Kingdom, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, China, Australia, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Bhutan, Egypt, Zimbabwe and Cook Islands.

A statement was also made by the representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as well as by a representative of civil society.

The UNCCD secretariat responded to comments made from the floor.

The Committee decided that further discussions on item 5 be taken up in COW contact group 2.

The meeting was adjourned. 

1st meeting

Opening of the twenty-fourth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention by the Chair of the Committee

The Chair opened the session and made a statement.

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification made a statement.

Statements were made by the following representatives: Angola (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I)), China (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Asia (Annex II)), Brazil (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Latin America and the Caribbean (Annex III), Montenegro (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)) and Kyrgyzstan (on behalf of the Interregional Group Central Asia – Russia).

Statements were also made by the following representatives: Dominican Republic and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Organizational matters [item 1]

(a) Adoption of the agenda and organization of work  

The Committee began its consideration of item 1 and sub-item (a).

A representative of the UNCCD secretariat introduced and orally revised the tentative schedule of work, which the Committee adopted on the understanding that it may be further revised by the Bureau as needed.

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a).

The Committee agreed to establish a contact group and appoint Mr. Charles Lange of Kenya as facilitator.

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of item 1.

Effective implementation of the Convention at national, subregional and regional levels [item 2]

(a) Review of the report of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention at its twenty-third session

The Committee began its consideration of item 2 and sub-items (a) to (c).

The Rapporteur introduced the report.

A representative of civil society made a statement on behalf of civil society organizations.

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a).

(b) Multi-year workplan of the Convention’s institutions and subsidiary bodies

(c) Performance of the Convention’s institutions and subsidiary bodies  

A representative of the UNCCD secretariat introduced the relevant reports.

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of item 2 and sub-items (b) and (c).

The meeting was adjourned. 

• Country Parties to the Convention, accredited Observer organizations by the COP (UN and Specialized Agencies, Intergovernmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Business and Industry Entities), Parliamentarians, Mayor, Side Event participants and Media may register to attend the sessions of UNCCD.
• The registration link for COP17 can be found here.
• In order to facilitate verification of requests for registration at the conference, all participants are required to upload a copy of their national passport and an official nomination letter confirming their capacity to attend the session.
• Participants are also required to upload a standard passport photo to accelerate on-site registration and badge collection.
• Please be reminded that multiple registrations for the conference are not permitted (e. g. registration as a Country Party and/or an observer organization and/or media representative). Only one registration with the corresponding conference badge can be issued to an individual at any given time. 

Conference badge collection

• Conference badge is only issued to duly registered and approved participants.
• Upon first arrival to the venue, participants are requested to proceed to the registration desk and present their passport (or nationally approved photo identification card) for badge issuance.
• Participants with valid conference badges can directly access the venue through the security and badge control, where their badges will be scanned. There is no need to stop by the registration desk unless there are any registration or badge issues.
• Participants are requested to always wear their issued conference badges in order to gain access to the conference centre.
• Kindly be aware that misuse of conference badge at all UNCCD conferences is prohibited and may lead to permanent suspension of your registration.

Registration desk opening hours

Any changes to the opening hours of the registration desk will be communicated in the Official Journal of the session.

Delegations are advised to contact Ms. Aphrodite Smagadi (+976 99204285) in Office no. 0-15.

The speakers list for the three Ministerial Dialogues (24-26 August) is open to Parties and Observers to sign up their high-level representatives. Please be advised that inscription to the speakers’ list is not a guarantee of being given the floor. The speakers list will close at the end of the day on Saturday, 22 August 2026.

https://grih.info/cop17-ministerial-dialogue-intervention-request/

Inclusion Is Protection 

The United Nations maintains a strict policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) — a commitment that applies equally to persons with disabilities, who can face heightened risk and greater barriers to reporting. 

Every staff member, volunteer, and partner shares responsibility for creating accessible, safe, and respectful spaces for everyone we serve.

Stop, Prevent, Protect 

• STOP – Zero tolerance for inaction on reports of SEA 
• PREVENT – Training and accessible awareness for all personnel 
• PROTECT – Confidential, survivor-centred support with no retaliation

Funding for eligible participants commences on 18 August 2026 at 12 p.m. in the DSA office in building C.

Delegates are kindly reminded to bring their boarding passes and passports.  

The UNCCD Conference App is an easy tool for participants of official UNCCD events to have access to the latest schedule of events at COP17, including official sessions and meetings, as well as side events in the Blue Zone.

The App also contains all official documents and other relevant information related to the UNCCD process and conference logistics, for COP, CST and CRIC, and allows you to receive notifications on changes. 

The App is available in Apple and Google Play store. 

Medical services will be provided throughout the event by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring that assistance is readily available. The Medical Care Centers are  located in the (1) Registration Area , in (2) Zone A, near MET-10; and in (3) ZONE C near MET-16.

Emergency Response:

• Immediate Action: Medical vehicles will be stationed on-site to ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies.

• Coordination with Local Services: Collaboration with local emergency teams will be ensured to manage serious medical situations effectively.

• Health and Safety Standards: All procedures will adhere to the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.

• Ambulance Placement: Ambulances will be strategically located at key areas, including the Blue Zone and VIP sections, to ensure quick access to medical care.

You can find a list of Emergency Contact Numbers HERE. 

Ulaanbaatar Emergency number is 105 (reachable without a SIM card). 

Delegations are advised that wireless internet access is available throughout the venue. The network name is UNCCD-Public, and the password is unccd1706

A Computer Center is located in Area-C, providing 100 workstations and printing facilities. An ICT Helpdesk counter is also available in the same area to assist with technical support.

A link to the stream of the meetings of the COP 17 session can be found on the UN Web TV website, the COP 17 page of the UNCCD website.

Requests for inclusion in the schedule of meetings of regional and interest groups should be communicated to:

Kayhan UI ( kul [at] unccd.int (kul[at]unccd[dot]int) ) or Mahamadou Tari Bako (mbako [at] unccd.int (mbako[at]unccd[dot]int) ).

Several shuttle buses are being offered by the Government of Mongolia. The full schedule can be accessed here:

https://unccdcop17.org/

The Lost and Found service is located near the Registration area, offering convenient access near the Main Entrance.