JOURNAL

20 August 2026 

3rd meeting 

Organizational matters [item 1] 

(c) Election of officers other than the President

The Conference resumed its consideration of agenda item 1 (c). 

The Conference elected Mr. Ulfat Machanov from Azerbaijan and Ms. Biljana Kilibarda from Montenegro as Vice-Presidents of the Conference at its seventeenth session. 

The Conference designated Vice-President Mr. Karomo Browne of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as Rapporteur of the Conference at its seventeenth session. 

The President made a statement. 

First open dialogue session on “Civil society contributions on pastoralism, rangelands and financing for healthy land” 

The Conference held the first Open Dialogue with civil society representatives of the seventeenth session, focusing on rangelands, pastoralists and finance for healthy land. 

An opening ceremony was performed by the Council of Elders (Mongolia). 

Introductory remarks were made by H.E. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the President of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties. 

The dialogue was moderated by Ms. Ellen Otaru-Okoedion, who made a statement. 

A keynote statement was made by Mr. Matti Goldberg (Woodwell Climate Research Centre). 

Presentations were made by the following panellists: Mr. Basele Stephen (Pastoralist Goals Foundation of Kenya), Ms. Garima Rajpal (The ClimAct Initiative of India), Ms. Tatiana Mijaela Blanco Quiroga (Asociacion Comunitaria Poopo Uru Uru Team of Bolivia), Ms. Hanie Moghani (CENESTA of Iran), Ms. Laurie Marker (Cheetah Conservation Fund of Namibia) and Mr. Anders Oskal (World Reindeer Herders of Norway).  

Statements were made by the representatives of the European Union, Armenia, Brazil, Iraq and the Maldives, as well as the representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also on behalf of UN Women. A statement was also made by a representative of civil society. 

The panellists responded to comments made and questions posed from the floor. 

Statements were made by the representatives of Peru, Turkmenistan, Australia, China, Yemen, Senegal, Uruguay, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbabwe, as well as the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. 

Statements were made by representatives of civil society. 

The panellists responded to comments made and questions posed from the floor. 

The moderator made concluding remarks. 

The President made a statement. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

3rd meeting 

The Facilitator of Contact Group 1 on Programme and Budget (Mauritius) and the Facilitator of Contact Group 2 on Other Matters (France) provided updates on the progress made. 

2018-2030 Strategic Framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification [item 2] 

(b) Enhancing the implementation of the Convention and its 2018-2030 Strategic Framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 

The Committee began its consideration of the sub-item. 

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

Statements were made by the representatives of China, the European Union, Bangladesh and Botswana. 

A representative of civil society also made a statement. 

The representative of the UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions posed and comments made from the floor. 

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

Policy frameworks and thematic issues [item 5] 

- Sand and dust storms 

The Committee resumed its consideration of the item. 

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

Statements were made by the representatives of Algeria (on behalf of the African Group), Chile, the European Union, China, Republic of Korea, Morocco, the Syrian Arab Republic, South Africa, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Guyana, Botswana, Mongolia, Iraq, Türkiye, Namibia, Chad, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Tajikistan. 

Statements were made by the representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 

A representative of civil society also made a statement. 

The representative of the UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions posed and comments made from the floor. 

- Rangelands and pastoralists 

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

Statements were made by the representatives of Chile, China, the European Union, Uruguay, Botswana (on behalf of the African Group), the Republic of Korea, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Oman, Sudan, Algeria, Cambodia, Brazil, Yemen, South Africa, Mongolia, Benin, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, Peru, Uzbekistan and the Syrian Arab Republic. 

Statements were made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. 

A representative of civil society also made a statement. 

The Chair made a statement. 

The representative of the UNCCD secretariat responded to the questions posed and comments made from the floor. 

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

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.

• The provisional list of registered participants attending the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) can be viewed here.
• The list has been generated based on the information entered directly into the Indico registration system by each participant and has been prepared based on the information received by the secretariat as of Thursday, 20 August 2026.
• Each delegation is requested to send corrections via e-mail to eespiritu [at] unccd.int (eespiritu[at]unccd[dot]int) by Thursday, 27 August 2026, at the latest.
• The official document containing the final list of participants will be issued after the closure of the sessions. It will consider any additional information received by the secretariat prior to its issuance.

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.