JOURNAL

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 

2nd meeting  

The Chair made a statement. 

Mr. Poojanraj Khurun of Mauritius was appointed as Facilitator for Contact Group 1. 

The Facilitator of Contact Group 2 (France) on Other Matters and the Chair for Contact Group 1 on Programme and Budget provided an update on the progress made. 

Policy frameworks and thematic issues [item 5] 

The Committee began its consideration of the item. 

- Migration 

An introductory statement was made by the representative of the UNCCD secretariat. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Tunisia (on behalf of the African Group), the European Union, Morocco, China, Brazil, Iraq, Madagascar, Guinea, Mongolia, Botswana, South Africa, Switzerland, Lebanon, Uganda, Algeria and Rwanda.    

Statements were made by the representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration and UN Women and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands. 

Statements were made by a representative of civil society. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the comments made from the floor. 

The Committee decided that further discussions on the item be taken up in CoW Contact Group 2. 

- Land tenure 

An introductory statement was made by the representative of the UNCCD secretariat. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Kenya (on behalf of the African Group), the European Union, Morocco, Brazil, Australia, Chile, Madagascar, Guyana, Thailand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Tunisia, Iraq, Botswana and Switzerland.  

A statement was made by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and UN Women. 

A statement was made by a representative of civil society. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the comments made from the floor. 

The Committee decided that further discussions on these items in their totality be taken up in CoW Contact Group 2.  

Procedural matters [item 8] 

(b) Participation and involvement of the private sector in meetings and processes of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the business engagement strategy 

The Committee began its consideration of the item. 

An introductory statement was made by the representative of the UNCCD Global Mechanism (via a pre-recorded video message). 

Statements were made by the representatives of Chile, the European Union, Côte d’Ivoire (on behalf of the African Group), China, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Mongolia and Botswana. 

A statement was made by the representative of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. 

A statement was made by a representative of civil society. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the comments made from the floor. 

The Committee decided that further discussion on these items be taken up in CoW Contact Group 2. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

4th meeting 

Securing of additional investments and relations with financial mechanisms [item 4]  

(b) Report by the Global Mechanism on progress made in the mobilization of resources for the implementation of the Convention and matters relating to Sustainable Development Goal 15.3, and the facilitation of involvement of the private sector. 

The Committee continued its consideration of the item and of the sub-item.  

Statements were made by the following representatives: Morocco (on behalf of the African Group), European Union, Argentina, Syrian Arab Republic, Brazil, China, Montenegro, Burundi, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea (on behalf of Central African States), Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominican Republic, Timor Leste, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Iraq, Fiji, Guatemala, Philippines, Mozambique, Chad, Algeria and Uganda. 

A representative of the United Nations Development Programme made a statement. 

Representatives of the Global Mechanism responded to the comments made and questions posed. 

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 4. 

3rd meeting 

Avoiding, reducing and reversing land and soil degradation of agricultural lands [item 5] 

The Committee began its consideration of the item. The UNCCD secretariat introduced the documentation and made a presentation. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Argentina, Switzerland, China, Japan, the European Union, Morocco, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Bangladesh, Yemen, Indonesia, Algeria, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Brazil, South Africa, Mongolia, Niger, Australia, Uruguay, Cambodia, Senegal as well as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme and Fundación CAUCE: Cultura Ambiental – Causa Ecologista. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions and comments raised. 

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 5. 

Procedural matters [item 6] 

(a) Work programme for the Science-Policy Interface (2027–2030) 

The Committee began its consideration of the sub-item. The UNCCD secretariat introduced the documentation and made a statement. 

Statements were made by the representatives of the Russian Federation, the European Union, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Algeria, Kenya, Mexico, Kiribati, the Cook Islands as well as Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions and comments raised. 

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 6. 

(b) Programme of work for the eighteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology 

The Committee began its consideration of the sub-item. The UNCCD secretariat introduced the documentation. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Türkiye and Bangladesh. 

The UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions and comments raised. 

The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 6 and of agenda item 6 as a whole. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

Joint meeting 

5th meeting of the CRIC

4th meeting of the CST

Opening of the joint meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention and the Committee on Science and Technology 

The CRIC Chair called the joint meeting to order and co-chaired the meeting with the CST Chair. 

Improving procedures for the communication of information as well as the quality and formats of reports to be submitted to the Conference of the Parties [CRIC item 3, CST sub-item 3(b)] 

The Committees began their joint consideration of the respective agenda items. 

A representative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification secretariat introduced the documentation. 

Presentations were made by representatives of the Support Hubs for Reporting: the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals; the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission; the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development and AfriGEO Secretariat; the Sahara and Sahel Observatory; the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification; the Pacific Community; and the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management. 

Statements were made by representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the European Space Agency on behalf of the Group on Earth Observations Land Degradation Neutrality Initiative, the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies, Apacheta and Conservation International. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Liberia, Argentina, Uganda, Algeria, the European Union, Uruguay, Lesotho, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates, Niger, China, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Cabo Verde, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, Türkiye, the Sudan, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Kuwait and the Cook Islands, as well as by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, the European Space Agency, the United Nations Development Programme and the Woodwell Climate Research Center. 

The panellists responded to the questions and comments raised. 

The Committees established a joint CRIC/CST Contact Group and appointed the designated facilitators as co-facilitators.  

The Committees concluded this stage of their joint consideration of agenda item 3 of CRIC 24 and sub-item 3(b) of CST 17. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

All delegations are kindly informed that on Monday, 24 August 2026, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Vice-Ministers and Secretaries of State are required to be at the VIP Lounge by 8:15 a.m.

Delegations are kindly requested to ensure that the concerned officials arrive on time.

• 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.

Funding for eligible participants continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the DSA office in building C.

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

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/

Need support with UNCCD national reporting or the PRAIS reporting platform?

The PRAIS Reporting Helpdesk is available throughout COP 17 in Zone C (connecting corridor next to the DSA Office).

Support is provided daily between 09:00 and 18:00.

Delegates and reporting teams are welcome to visit the Helpdesk for technical assistance and guidance related to reporting requirements and the use of PRAIS.

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

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.