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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — Opening the COP17 Youth Forum on 18 August, UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad called for more opportunities for young people to contribute to land restoration and drought resilience, from education and green jobs to entrepreneurship and innovation. “The green transition ... should involve the youth,” she said. “And by doing so, we are restoring hope in the future generation that they can still enjoy the planet and its natural resources like we did.” Mongolia’s Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Aldarjavkhlan Jukov highlighted the role of young scientists, activists and herders in sharing knowledge and developing solutions for more sustainable and resilient rangelands. He called for youth-led initiatives to be connected with funding and for young people to have a more meaningful voice in the process. For Juliet Grace Luwedde of the UNCCD Youth Caucus, Mongolia is already showing what greater engagement can look like. “The Mongolian youth have actually championed youth engagement,” she said. “They've mobilized themselves, they've mobilized more young people to be able to come and engage with this process.” But Luwedde is looking beyond how many young people attend. She hopes the assessment of youth engagement requested by Parties at COP16 will help shape the Convention’s next steps on meaningful youth participation. The assessment shows how quickly the Convention’s youth constituency has grown. The UNCCD Youth Caucus expanded from approximately 200 members in 2019 to around 4,000 in 2026. But growth in participation has not yet translated consistently into influence. In a limited survey of 20 national focal points from 16 countries, 60 per cent of responding countries reported that young people had little or no influence on national UNCCD-related policy development and only 10 per cent reported youth involvement in decision-making. “We now have young people as negotiators in the negotiation room, so there is a lot of potential and opportunities for young people to continue engaging with this process,” Luwedde said. “But we have to be intentional about it.” The Land Youth Negotiator Programme is one way of turning that intention into practice. It prepares young people to join official national delegations and contribute directly to negotiations, building technical knowledge, negotiating skills and leadership experience. The programme has expanded from 100 negotiators from 35 countries in 2024–2025 to 155 from 44 countries in its 2026–2027 cohort. The programme is also drawing recognition from Parties. During COP17 discussions on capacity-building this week, Montenegro, the Dominican Republic, Moldova and the Cook Islands highlighted the Youth Negotiators Academy and the Land Youth Negotiator Programme. Its impact can also be seen in the paths young negotiators are taking through the Convention. Sedona Richardson of Grenada first attended a UNCCD COP as a civil society representative. After joining the Land Youth Negotiator Programme, she returned to COP16 in Riyadh as part of Grenada’s national delegation. “To be able to be in those negotiation rooms and to be able to advocate for my country, that is how it has impacted my life,” Richardson said. At COP17, programme participants described following negotiation tracks, helping draft text, preparing statements and supporting bilateral meetings — substantive work within national delegation teams. The discussion also looked at initiatives already creating practical opportunities for young people to take the lead.  Sustainability, Technology and Environmental Preservation Program (STEPP) is designed to engage young nomadic herders around the world amid environmental, technological and socio-economic change. The NomaTech Challenge combined capacity-building, international teamwork, engineering, problem-solving and prototype development ahead of COP17. The Silk Road Caravan connected pastoral landscapes, communities and experiences across countries on its journey to Ulaanbaatar, highlighting challenges shared across rangeland communities and the value of exchanging knowledge across borders. When we spoke with people already engaged in the Convention about young people’s place in its work, Anahi Ocampo-Melgar, a member of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface, brought the question back to what is at stake for the next generation. “To me, land is where the future of young people begins. I work in many parts of Chile that are experiencing rural abandonment and desertification. To me, therefore, land is a place where I hope there can be greater hope for future generations.” For Luwedde, the longer-term test is the Convention’s next strategic framework. As Parties look beyond the current 2018–2030 framework, she wants young people to have a clearer place in how the Convention works and how their contributions are recognized. The next opportunity to carry that discussion forward comes on 26 August, Land and People Day, with Youth, Land and Livelihoods: Building the next generation of land stewards. The session will bring forward priorities emerging from the COP17 Youth Forum and showcase youth-led solutions while connecting young people with governments, donors, civil society and international partners around participation, access to resources and opportunities to shape decisions. Photos © : UNCCD/Kiara Worth

About 30 mayors, governors and other local and regional leaders gathered this week at the UNCCD COP17 Mayors' Forum adopted the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, committing to advance local action on sustainable land management and drought resilience, and calling for a stronger, more permanent role for cities and regions in the UNCCD process.

 As land degradation, drought and water scarcity increasingly threaten food security, livelihoods and stability, UNCCD COP17 will place healthy land at the centre of human wellbeing and prosperityDelegates representing 197 UNCCD Parties, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses and land stewards are expected to gather in Ulaanbaatar from 17-28 August Mobilizing public and private investment to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience will be one of the defining priorities of COP17Governments will also advance decisions on drought resilience, rangelands, sustainable agriculture and soils, and private sector engagementUlaanbaatar, Mongolia, 17 August 2026 – Delegates from 196 countries and the European Union gathered in Ulaanbaatar today for the opening of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).  Over the next two weeks, governments, financial institutions, businesses, scientists and civil society will work to advance practical solutions, forge new partnerships and mobilize investment for land restoration and drought resilience, while Parties negotiate decisions on drought, rangelands, agricultural lands and soils, resource mobilization, private-sector engagement and the Convention's future strategic direction. The decisions, partnerships and initiatives launched at UNCCD COP17 are expected to strengthen international cooperation on sustainable land management, land restoration and drought resilience over the coming years, at a time when countries are facing increasing pressure from land degradation, water scarcity and climate change. Land degradation and drought are estimated to cost the global economy nearly USD 900 billion every year and already affect up to 40 per cent of the world's land and 3.2 billion people. Droughts have increased by almost one-third since 2000 and now generate at least USD 300 billion in annual losses. As the first of the three Rio Convention COPs taking place in 2026, ahead of the biodiversity and climate conferences, COP17 provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation across the Rio Conventions and accelerate practical action on land degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, food and water security and water resilience. H.E. N. Uchral, Prime Minister of Mongolia, said: “The greatest change we want to see from COP17 is a shift from talk to action, from targets to implementation, and from commitments to measurable results. Mongolia therefore calls for tangible progress at this conference. First, let us address land, climate and biodiversity not as separate issues, but as interconnected challenges. Second, let us increase investment in land restoration and take cooperation between governments, international financial institutions and the private sector to a new level. Third, let us make drought resilience not only an environmental policy issue, but a core part of development policy. Fourth, let us place the knowledge and participation of rangeland users, herders and local communities at the centre of global land management policy. Fifth, let us turn science, technology and innovation into practical solutions and real investment. Sixth, let us work together to create the enabling conditions to turn commitments into measurable results.” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “Land degradation and drought are no longer distant environmental concerns. They are already affecting the food we produce, the water we depend on, the resilience of our economies and the ability of communities to build secure futures. Healthy land is the foundation of healthy food systems, resilient economies and stable societies. COP17 must therefore be a COP of implementation. The world does not lack solutions; the challenge is taking them to scale. Ulaanbaatar must mobilize the political leadership, investment and partnerships needed to move from commitments to measurable results on the ground. Restoring land is not simply an environmental obligation—it is an investment in people, stability and resilience. At a time when multilateralism is being tested, COP17 is also an opportunity to show that countries can work together to deliver practical solutions that improve people's lives. Our measure of success will not simply be the decisions we adopt, but the change those decisions unlock for communities, economies and landscapes around the world and ability to mainstream land in new development sectors to prevent its future degradation.” H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and UNCCD COP17 President, said: “For Mongolia, land is inseparable from our people, our livelihoods and our future. As a country where pastoralism remains central to our society and where land degradation, drought and dzud are already placing growing pressure on communities, we know that the health of our land has direct consequences for people’s lives. Hosting COP17 is both a responsibility and an opportunity to bring the experience of dryland countries and pastoral communities to the centre of global discussions. Mongolia will work with all Parties to make Ulaanbaatar a place where countries come together around practical solutions for healthier land, more resilient rangelands and a more secure future for the people who depend on them.” H.E.  Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia and Chair of the National Committee for the Organization of UNCCD COP17, said: “Mongolia has completed its preparations to host UNCCD COP17 and stands ready to welcome delegates and guests from around the world. Desertification, land degradation and climate change are interconnected global challenges with far-reaching impacts not only on the environment, but also on food security, economic stability and livelihoods. COP17 will therefore provide a vital platform for strengthening international cooperation and advancing practical solutions. As the host country, Mongolia will promote constructive, consensus-based dialogue and work to ensure the inclusive participation of all Parties and stakeholders. The outcomes of COP17 must go beyond negotiated decisions and translate into concrete action, greater investment and stronger partnerships to halt and reverse land degradation, safeguard rangelands and soils, restore degraded land and combat desertification. Achieving this will require the active engagement of governments, the private sector, international organizations and financial institutions. I am confident that COP17 will mark an important step towards stronger international cooperation and accelerated global action to address desertification, land degradation and drought.” For host country Mongolia, these issues are part of everyday life. Nearly 77 per cent of the country's land is degraded, while pastoralism supports the livelihoods of one in three Mongolians. In 2023 and 2024, severe summer drought followed by devastating dzud winters resulted in the loss of more than seven million livestock, highlighting the growing vulnerability of dryland communities and the urgent need to strengthen resilience. Strengthening drought resilience Building on the progress made at COP16 in Riyadh, governments at COP17 will continue discussions on a global policy framework on drought while strengthening the practical tools, partnerships and financing mechanisms needed to help countries turn drought plans into action. Parties will discuss measures to strengthen preparedness, early warning systems, vulnerability assessments and international cooperation. More than 70 countries have now developed national drought plans, compared with only three in 2013, reflecting growing recognition that drought must be managed proactively rather than only once it becomes a humanitarian and economic crisis.  Every dollar invested in drought resilience can generate returns of up to USD 10, while some nature-based solutions deliver benefits of up to 27 times their cost. COP17 will also feature new tools and partnerships to help countries strengthen drought preparedness and resilience, including announcements related to the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, the Drought Resilience Investment Facility and the International Drought Resilience Observatory as well as other related programmes and projects. Closing the multibillion finance gap Mobilizing greater public and private investment for land restoration and drought resilience will be one of the defining priorities of COP17. An estimated USD 355 billion is needed every year to combat land degradation and drought, yet current investment stands at only around USD 77 billion, leaving an annual financing gap of USD 278 billion. Despite depending heavily on healthy land and reliable water supplies, the private sector currently provides only around six per cent of global land restoration and drought resilience finance. Public resources alone are unlikely to close the gap, highlighting the need to strengthen collaboration between governments, development banks, businesses and investors. COP17 will explore how to unlock new sources of finance, strengthen incentives for sustainable land management, reduce investment risks and better align public and private investment with land restoration and drought resilience goals through discussions and examining new tools to leverage the existing pledges at the regional and national levels. The conference will illustrate progress on initiatives such as Business4Land, which aims to strengthen private sector engagement and partnerships for land restoration and drought resilience.  The Business for Land Forum on 24 August will bring together governments, businesses and investors to accelerate private-sector action and investment in regenerative landscapes. Participating organizations in the Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes have already committed more than USD 9 billion across over 210 million hectares, while new policy recommendations aimed at unlocking further investment will be presented at COP17. Rangelands take centre stage Held during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, COP17 will place one of the world's largest yet most overlooked ecosystems at the centre of international discussions. Rangelands cover 54 per cent of the Earth's land surface and support the livelihoods of around two billion people, including approximately 500 million pastoralists who have stewarded them for millennia. Rangelands produce one-sixth of the world's food and provide around 70 per cent of livestock feed. Far more than grazing lands, they are strategic ecosystems that underpin food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and livelihoods across the world's drylands. Yet up to half of the world's rangelands are already degraded or at risk, with 78 per cent located in drylands where increasing drought, climate change and unsustainable land use are placing growing pressure on ecosystems and communities.  Governments are expected to consider a new policy framework on rangelands and pastoralists and launch the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, a global partnership designed to increase long-term investment in sustainable rangeland management and strengthen pastoral livelihoods. The opening of COP17 also marks the conclusion of the UNCCD Silk Road Caravan, a multi-country journey across Eurasia that brought together governments, scientists, pastoralists, local communities and young people to exchange knowledge and showcase practical approaches to land restoration, sustainable rangeland management and drought resilience. Travelling along the historic Silk Road, the Caravan visited restoration projects and pastoral communities, highlighting practical solutions and the experiences of people restoring degraded land. Its arrival in Mongolia ahead of COP17 symbolically connects local action with the global negotiations beginning in Ulaanbaatar and marks one of the flagship initiatives of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.  From Riyadh to Ulaanbaatar COP17 builds on the outcomes of COP16 in Riyadh and the work undertaken since then to strengthen international cooperation on drought resilience, sustainable land management, financing and private-sector engagement. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, said: “COP16 in Riyadh was a historical turning point in the global awareness and drive for action to address land degradation and drought. The world did not leave Riyadh with more promises—it left with more partners, more investment, and stronger momentum for action. We saw the Riyadh Action Agenda, which included 35 initiatives when it was launched at COP16 in Riyadh, has grown to include more than 100 initiatives currently. We witnessed stronger commitment to proactively face drought through the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, and a stronger participation of the private sector through the Business for Land Initiative. Through these partnerships, we have built a global coalition that is mobilizing governments, financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector to turn ambition into implementation. As we pass the Presidency to Mongolia, we will continue to work with COP17 Presidency and all other partners to maintain and amplify the global momentum that was achieved in COP16 to create a better future.” Beyond the drought and rangelands agenda, governments will also consider the Convention's future strategic framework, scientific guidance on agricultural lands and soils, greater participation by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth and civil society, stronger cooperation with the biodiversity and climate conventions, and ways to accelerate action under the Convention. From negotiations to action Alongside the formal negotiations, the COP17 Action Agenda will bring together governments, international partners, financial institutions, businesses, scientists, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, local communities, women and youth to showcase practical solutions, launch new initiatives and forge partnerships that can help scale up action on the ground. Four thematic days during the conference's second week will connect negotiations with high-level dialogue and practical action: Finance Day (24 August): Mobilizing public and private investment for land restoration and drought resilience.  Water Day (25 August): Strengthening drought resilience and cooperation on the land-water nexus.  Land and People Day (26 August): Highlighting the role of pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and youth in restoring and sustainably managing land.  Food Systems and Soil Health Day (27 August): Advancing healthy soils and sustainable food systems to strengthen food security and resilient livelihoods.  The conference's high-level segment will feature ministerial dialogues and special events on drought resilience, sustainable rangelands, financing for land restoration, food systems and soil health, migration and security, sand and dust storms, and private-sector engagement. COP17 will also host the first formal convenings of the UNCCD Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the Local Communities Caucus, alongside the Business4Land Forum, Youth Forum and Gender Caucus, creating new opportunities for dialogue and partnership across governments and stakeholders. A Parliamentarians Forum and Mayors Forum will also convene on the sidelines of COP17. Several major scientific and policy publications will also be launched during the conference, including: 24 August: The Economics of Rangelands Restoration  25 August: The Drying Planet: Drought in Numbers 2026 26 August: Global Land Outlook for Small Island Developing States  26 August: Global Land Outlook Central Asia Thematic Report  27 August: Soil Health: The Business Case for Investing in Our Foundation  COP17 will conclude on 28 August, when Parties are expected to adopt decisions that will guide the Convention's work over the coming years and shape the next phase of global action on land restoration and drought resilience. Notes to Editors For media enquiries and interview requests UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int Opening press conference Date: 17 August 2026 Time: 13.15 to 14.00 Location: Press Conference room  Speakers: H.E. Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia and Chair of the National Organizing Committee of COP17  Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationH.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and President Designate of UNCCD COP17Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 PresidencyMedia resources COP17 programme  UNCCD COP17 website   Host country website    UN WebTV – Live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages   Audiovisual material will be available for download here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94683648@N07/albums/ UNCCD COP17 branded materials   Earth Negotiations Bulletin (daily coverage, photographs and analysis)   Follow @UNCCD on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Primary hashtag: #COP17Mongolia Additional hashtags: #UNCCDCOP17, #UNited4Land About UNCCD    The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the global vision and voice for land. We unite governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet. Much more than an international treaty signed by 197 Parties, UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to mitigating today’s impacts of land degradation and advancing tomorrow’s land stewardship in order to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.   

Land provides the food we eat, the water we drink and the raw materials that power industries and economies. Yet nearly 40 per cent of the world's land is already degraded, threatening ecosystems, livelihoods and businesses alike.Reversing this trend requires action far beyond governments alone, with the private sector playing an increasingly important role in driving innovation, investment and sustainable land management.This is the vision behind Business for Land (B4L), the UNCCD main vehicle for engaging the private sector in sustainable land and water management. Through partnerships, policy dialogue and sustainable finance, B4L works with companies and financial institutions to help manage the risks associated with land degradation and drought while creating opportunities to restore landscapes, strengthen value chains and build more resilient economies.Building on the record level of private sector participation at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Business for Land will deepen its engagement at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Business Land Forum will bring together governments, businesses, investors and development partners to strengthen public-private partnerships and identify practical ways to accelerate investment and action on regenerative landscapes.One of the Forum's key outcomes will be the presentation of a new set of policy recommendations developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a global, CEO-led organization working with businesses to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.At the request of the UNCCD Business for Land initiative, WBCSD led a global consultation involving more than 50 businesses, producers, civil society organizations and ecosystem partners to identify practical policy changes that can unlock investment in regenerative landscapes. Drawing on the experience of businesses across agriculture, forestry, finance, food and manufacturing, the recommendations call for more coherent policy frameworks, stronger public-private collaboration and investment conditions that enable regenerative landscapes to be scaled. The recommendations will be formally presented during the Business for Land Forum on 24 August.“We need a systemic shift in the incentives that drive land use decisions so that sustainable land management becomes the default rather than the exception. I think it is absolutely true that this is an economic necessity and not just an act for the environment,” saidDr. Claudia Hiepe, UNCCD National Focal Point Team, Germany.The recommendations build on months of dialogue between governments and the private sector, including the Public-Private Dialogue on Regenerative Landscapes, co-hosted by the Governments of Germany and Côte d'Ivoire in partnership with WBCSD on 16 July. The dialogue provided an opportunity for governments and businesses to exchange priorities ahead of COP17 and helped shape the recommendations. Through the Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes, participating organizations have already committed more than USD 9 billion across over 210 million hectares, demonstrating growing momentum behind private sector action. “Businesses and governments have a shared interest in scaling regenerative landscapes. But achieving this requires trust and collaboration between the public and private sector. Going forward, it’s important that both sectors continue to strengthen their collaboration to co-create country-specific solutions and unlock investment for sustainable land management,” said Emeline Fellus, Senior Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development.Despite this progress, financing remains one of the greatest challenges. UNCCD estimates that approximately USD 355 billion is needed every year to meet global land restoration and drought resilience commitments, while current investment stands at around USD 77 billion annually. Closing this USD 278 billion gap will require stronger policy frameworks, innovative financial solutions and closer collaboration between governments, businesses and financial institutions. "Restoring land at scale requires more than finance—it requires partnership. Governments create the enabling environment, businesses bring innovation and investment and financial institutions help unlock capital. Business for Land is about bringing these actors together so that ambition is translated into practical action and lasting impact," said Louise Baker, Managing Director of the UNCCD Global Mechanism. Alongside the recommendations, WBCSD has launched a Statement of Support, inviting companies to endorse a shared commitment to regenerative landscapes and closer collaboration with governments. Businesses are encouraged to support the initiative and work with policymakers to adapt and apply the recommendations in ways that respond to national priorities and accelerate investment in sustainable land management. By bringing together governments, businesses and financial institutions, the Business4Land Forum aims to turn growing momentum into practical partnerships that accelerate investment and action on regenerative landscapes. 

The Olympic snowboarding champion will mobilize young people and sports audiences to support healthy land, resilient communities and ecosystems. Bonn, Germany, 12 July 2026  — The UNCCD has named Chinese Olympic snowboarding champion Su Yiming its newest Sport4Land Champion for Resilience. The appointment recognizes Su’s inspiring journey, his commitment to empowering young people through sport and his growing leadership in promoting resilience both on and the beyond slopes.  At just 22, Su has already established himself as one of the world’s leading snowboarders. He first captured global attention at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, where he won gold in Big Air and silver in Slopestyle, becoming China’s youngest Winter Olympic champion and the country’s first Olympic gold medallist in snowboarding. At Milano Cortina 2026, he reinforced his place among the sport’s elite with another Olympic gold in Slopestyle and bronze in Big Air, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability required to remain at the highest level of the sport. The same determination also shapes Su’s work beyond elite competition. Inspired by his father’s years of volunteer coaching, Su established the Super Sports Foundation to expand access to sports education, support grassroots initiatives and help more young people pursue their ambitions. He also serves as a Special Olympics East Asia Regional Ambassador, reflecting his belief that sport should create opportunities that are inclusive and open to all. Snowboarding exists because of healthy mountain environments. Reliable snowfall, resilient landscapes and thriving ecosystems are not simply the backdrop to the sport, they make it possible. As climate change accelerates land degradation, biodiversity loss and water stress, athletes like Su can help inspire new generations to understand that protecting nature also means protecting the future of sport and the communities that depend on healthy land. For Su, resilience extends beyond athletic performance. It is also about creating opportunities for others and protecting the natural environments that have shaped his journey. Speaking about his appointment, he said: "Protecting the land is protecting the future of every turn we carve, every run we chase and every moment we find freedom on snow. Today, I call on every young person to be a champion for their own corner of the Earth—one small daily act at a time. Let’s turn our love for the outdoors into action that heals the ground beneath us.”Su joins a growing network of Sport4Land Champions using the universal language of sport to raise awareness of land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable land management. Launched during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the UNCCD initiative brings together athletes from around the world to inspire action for healthy land and encourage fans to become part of the solution. As Sport4Land Champion for Resilience, Su will work with UNCCD to help engage young people and sports communities in protecting and restoring land. Through advocacy, awareness-raising and public engagement, he will champion the idea that resilience is built not only through perseverance and determination, but also through safeguarding the natural environments that sustain life, livelihoods and sport itself. 

Ulán Bator, Mongolia, 7 de agosto de 2026 – La Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda, una campaña de divulgación mundial que pone el foco en los pastizales y los pastores, inicia hoy su recorrido por Mongolia, a pocos días del inicio de la decimoséptima sesión de la Conferencia de las Partes (COP17) de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD), que se celebrará en Ulán Bator el 17 de agosto. Durante milenios, la estepa mongola ha sido testigo del movimiento de personas, mercancías e ideas a lo largo de Eurasia. El valle del Orkhon, uno de los paisajes históricos más importantes de Mongolia, sirvió como centro político y cultural de sucesivosimperios nómadas, mientras que generaciones de pastores desarrollaron un modo de vida que aún hoy define a Mongolia. Este mes de agosto, esa historia continúa. Antes de la COP17 de la CNULD, la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda de la CNULD llega a Mongolia tras recorrer más de 6.000 kilómetros a través de Eurasia. A lo largo del camino, ha reunido a pastores, científicos, responsables políticos, jóvenes y comunidades locales para compartir experiencias y soluciones prácticas destinadas a restaurar los pastizales y reforzar la resiliencia ante las condiciones de sequía cada vez más severas. La Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda, inspirada en las rutas históricas que en su día unieron Asia y Europa, ha sido impulsada por la CNULD en apoyo del Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores 2026 (IYRP 2026). Desde su salida de Turquía enmayo, los participantes han atravesado la Federación de Rusia, Uzbekistán, Kazajistán, Kirguistán y China, visitando iniciativas de restauración y reuniéndose con comunidades locales a lo largo del camino. El viaje ha puesto de relieve cómo los esfuerzosdedicados y la cooperación a todos los niveles pueden ayudar a restaurar las tierras degradadas. La Dra. Yasmine Fouad, secretaria ejecutiva de la CNULD, ha afirmado: “A lo largo del recorrido de la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda, hemos podido comprobar cómo los países y las comunidades gestionan y restauran los pastizales, que son parte inseparable de sus identidades, culturas, economías y modos de vida”. Cada parada a lo largo del recorrido ha reforzado una realidad: las personas son el núcleo de la restauración de tierras. Esas experiencias nos recuerdan que no existe un único camino hacia la restauración. Ahora que nos reunimos en Mongolia para la COP17, nuestra responsabilidad es convertir estas experiencias locales en acciones a escala mundial, reforzando la cooperación internacional e invirtiendo en las personas que han cuidado estos paisajes durante generaciones”. Tsagaankhuu Iderbat, ministro de Alimentación, Agricultura e Industria Ligera de Mongolia, ha declarado: “Mongolia cuenta con una larga tradición de pastoreo y un profundo vínculo con sus vastos pastizales, que han moldeado nuestra cultura nómada durante generaciones. Consciente de la importancia mundial de los pastizales y los pastores, Mongolia se enorgullece de haber presentado la propuesta que llevó a la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas a proclamar 2026 como el Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores. La llegada de la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda a Mongolia, seguida de la COP17 de la CNULD, ofrece una oportunidad única para llamar la atención mundial sobre los pastizales, la degradación de tierras y el cambio climático. También nos recuerda que los conocimientos y la experiencia de los pastores, desarrollados a lo largo de generaciones de convivencia en armonía con la naturaleza, siguen siendo una parte esencial de las soluciones que necesitamos hoy en día”. Los pastizales cubren el 54 % de la superficie terrestre, sustentan a unos 2.000 millones de personas, proporcionan casi el 70% del pienso para el ganado a nivel mundial y almacenan enormes cantidades de carbono. Sin embargo, hasta la mitad de ellos ya estándegradados, lo que pone en peligro la biodiversidad, la producción alimentaria y los medios de vida rurales. Las experiencias recopiladas a lo largo de la Caravana se trasladarán ahora a la COP17, donde los países estudiarán los próximos pasos para restaurar y proteger los pastizales. En Mongolia, los pastizales son la base de la vida pastoral. Abarcan alrededor del 70% del territorio nacional, sustentan los medios de vida de aproximadamente un tercio de la población y constituyen uno de los paisajes pastorales más extensos que quedan enel mundo. Sin embargo, estos mismos paisajes se ven sometidos a una presión cada vez mayor. Casi el 77% del territorio de Mongolia se ve afectado por la degradación. Las sequías son cada vez más frecuentes, mientras que el número anual de días con tormentas de arena y polvo se ha más que triplicado desde la década de 1960. En 2023-2024, una combinación devastadora de sequía estival seguida del duro invierno conocido como dzud provocó la pérdida de más de siete millones de cabezas de ganado. El desastre puso de manifiesto lo expuestas que están las comunidades pastorales a la sequía y a los fenómenos climáticos extremos. Avirmed Gan-Ochir, especialista en cría de animales del Centro de Investigación de Pastizales de Mongolia Greengold y participante en la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda, ha explicado: “Como persona que creció en los pastizales de Mongolia, ha sido inspirador viajar por Uzbekistán y Kazajistán y conocer a pastores cuyas vidas son tan diferentes y, a la vez, tan similares a la mía. Cada comunidad nos ha enseñado algo nuevo, desde cómo se adaptan a los cambios climáticos hasta cómo protegen las tradiciones que se han transmitido de generación en generación. Me enorgullece que la Caravana llegue ahora a Mongolia, y estoy deseando dar la bienvenida a todos a nuestro país, compartir nuestras propias experiencias y continuar este intercambio de conocimientos de cara a la COP17”.  Aldarjavkhlan Jukov, ministro de Cultura, Deportes, Turismo y Juventud de Mongolia, ha declarado: “Durante siglos, la Ruta de la Seda ha conectado países, pueblos y civilizaciones. La llegada de la Caravana a Mongolia nos brinda la oportunidad de compartir nuestra cultura nómada, nuestras tradiciones y nuestro arraigado legado de convivencia con la naturaleza. Acoger la etapa final de la Caravana y la COP17 de la CNULD conecta el patrimonio cultural de Mongolia con los retos globales actuales,incluyendo la degradación de tierras. Todo ello es una oportunidad para aprender de los conocimientos del pasado mientras trabajamos juntos por un futuro más sostenible”. Los retos a los que se enfrenta Mongolia son comunes a muchos países de zonas áridas. Del 17 al 28 de agosto, la COP17 reunirá en Ulán Bator a gobiernos, científicos, pueblos indígenas, pastores, organizaciones de la sociedad civil, empresas y organizacionesinternacionales para debatir soluciones prácticas para la restauración de tierras, la sequía y la gestión sostenible de los pastizales. Al ser la primera de las tres Conferencias de las Partes (COP) de las convenciones de Río que se celebran este año, se espera que contribuya a definir la agenda internacional sobre tierras. Coincidiendo con el Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores, la COP17 de la CNULD también pondrá de relieve el papel fundamental de los pastizales en el apoyo a la seguridad alimentaria, la conservación de la biodiversidad, la resiliencia climática y los medios de vida rurales. Los participantes en la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda pasarán una semana recorriendo Mongolia, desde el desierto de Gobi hasta los bosques y praderas del centro del país. Se reunirán con familias de pastores nómadas, investigadores, autoridades locales y cooperativas pastorales, y visitarán proyectos de restauración de tierras. La ruta incluye el Parque Nacional de Hustai, el Paisaje Cultural del Valle del Orkhon, declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, el lago Ugii, incluido en la Lista de Ramsar, y el festival ‘Mini Naadam’. Los participantes podrán ver de primeramano cómo las comunidades de los pastizales de Mongolia están haciendo frente a la degradación de tierras y la sequía. También participarán en actividades conmemorativas del Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores antes de llegar a Ulán Bator a tiempo para la COP17. NOTA PARA LOS EDITORES Oportunidades para los medios de comunicación Durante la etapa mongola de la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda, los medios de comunicación acreditados tendrán la oportunidad de: Visitar ejemplos de restauracón de tierras en el desierto de Gobi y en el centro de Mongolia.  Conocer a familias de pastores nómadas y cooperativas pastorales.  Informarse sobre la restauración comunitaria de pastizales y las prácticas de pastoreo sostenible. Visitar el Parque Nacional de Hustai, el Paisaje Cultural del Valle del Orkhon, declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, y el lago Ugii, incluido en la Lista de Ramsar.  Entrevistar a participantes internacionales de la Caravana, a expertos mongoles y a representantes de la CNULD.  Cubrir la clausura de la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda antes de la inauguración de la COP17 de la CNULD. Acreditación de medios Ya está abierta la acreditación para los representantes de los medios de comunicación que cubran la COP17 de la CNULD. Se anima a los periodistas a presentar su solicitud a través del Sistema de Inscripción en Línea (ORS) de las Naciones Unidas, la plataforma oficial para acreditar a los medios de comunicación. Sigue la COP17 Encontrarás más información para los medios de comunicación en la página de prensa de la COP17. Sigue a @UNCCD en X, Instagram, LinkedIn y Facebook. Etiqueta oficial. #COP17Mongolia Etiquetas adicionales: : #UNCCDCOP17 | #RestoringLandRestoringHope | #UNited4Land | #HerLand | #Sport4Land | #Youth4Land Recursos Dossier de prensa Página web de la COP17 de la CNULD Página web del país anfitrión UN WebTV: retransmisión en directo de las sesiones plenarias clave con interpretación simultánea en los seis idiomas oficiales de la ONU  Recursos visuales y de imagen de marca de la COP17 de la CNULD Boletín de Negociaciones de la Tierra (cobertura diaria, fotografías y análisis) Acerca de la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda Durante siglos, las caravanas que recorrían la Ruta de la Seda transportaban no solo mercancías, sino también ideas, culturas y conocimientos entre civilizaciones. La Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda pretende revivir ese espíritu de conexión, compartiendohistorias de personas que trabajan para restaurar la tierra, proteger los ecosistemas y mantener los modos de vida pastorales en regiones donde la cultura, la tierra y el clima están profundamente entrelazados. La Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda es una campañaemblemática de la CNULD que une la COP16 en Riad (2024) con la COP17 en Ulán Bator (2026), en apoyo del Año Internacional de los Pastizales y los Pastores 2026. Desde los desiertos de la Península Arábiga hasta las vastas praderas de Eurasia, este viajesimbólico y físico de la caravana pondrá de relieve los ecosistemas de pastizales y las comunidades pastorales que han dado forma a la vida a lo largo de estas rutas durante generaciones. Su objetivo es sensibilizar sobre el papel fundamental de los pastizales, que cubren más de la mitad de la superficie terrestre y sustentan a dos mil millones de personas en todo el mundo. Mediante una combinación de visitas sobre el terreno, relatos y un documental, la iniciativa pone de relieve tanto los retos que plantea la degradación del suelo como las soluciones que surgen de las comunidades locales. Más información sobre la Caravana de la Ruta de la Seda: silkroadcaravan.org Acerca de la CNULD  La Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD) es la visión y la voz global en materia de tierras. Unimos a gobiernos, científicos, responsables políticos, el sector privado y las comunidades en torno a una visión compartiday una acción global para restaurar y gestionar las tierras del mundo en pro de la sostenibilidad de la humanidad y del planeta. Mucho más que un tratado internacional firmado por 197 Partes, la CNULD es un compromiso multilateral para mitigar los efectosactuales de la degradación del suelo y promover la gestión responsable de tierras en el futuro, con el fin de proporcionar alimentos, agua, vivienda y oportunidades económicas a todas las personas de manera equitativa e inclusiva.