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Riyadh, 14 September 2025 – On her first official mission as UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad met with HE Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh."My visit to Riyadh was an opportunity to reinforce our shared commitment and emphasize the critical leadership of the Saudi COP16 Presidency as we work toward COP17," said Dr. Fouad. "To address the profound impacts of land degradation on food insecurity and economic uncertainty, we must act decisively and collectively. Our partnership is key to mobilizing political will and resources to restore land and hope."Discussions focused on shared priorities, including accelerating efforts toward drought resilience, transforming food systems, and creating new opportunities for private sector engagement in land restoration.On drought resilience, the meeting followed up on the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership at COP16, emphasizing the need for a proactive, global approach to preparedness and response, and for strong policies that support vulnerable communities and ecosystems.On food systems, the two leaders highlighted the crucial link between healthy land and sustainable food production. Building on the landmark COP16 decision on productive agricultural lands, they noted that agriculture remains a major driver of land degradation, deforestation, freshwater extraction and biodiversity loss worldwide, and must be transformed to become part of the solution.On private sector engagement, discussions built on the Business for Land Initiative endorsed by leaders at COP16, concentrating on strategies to unlock financing and innovation, reduce investment risks, and develop a compelling business case for companies to become key partners in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and restoring land.Hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2024, UNCCD COP16 was the largest and most inclusive in the Convention’s history, resulting in 39 decisions adopted by UNCCD’s 197 Parties."I am confident that through the Saudi COP16 Presidency and the upcoming Mongolian COP17 Presidency, we will be able to showcase that we can be united for land, united for people and united with hope," Ms. Fouad added.For more information, please contact: UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int; 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. 

By Yasmine Fouad, UNCCD Executive SecretaryThe global energy transition is often portrayed as a challenging, complex, costly and urgent necessity. But this perspective fails to capture the full picture. What if this monumental transformation offers one of the greatest opportunities of our time to restore our planet? This is an opportunity both to change how we power our world and to restore the land itself, addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity at their source.  A bucket-wheel excavator, one of the world's largest land vehicles, looms against the sky at the Hambach open-pit mine. This machine symbolizes the large-scale extraction of lignite coal that has shaped the region for generations. I witnessed this firsthand in Eschweiler, Germany, this week. For generations, this region was defined by the massive machinery of the Hambach open pit mine, which spans 85 square kilometers (about the area of Manhattan) and plunges 400 meters (about half the height of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world) deep. With a delegation of parliamentarians from around the world for our Global Changemaker Academy, I visited this former mine site. Through a meticulous, multi-decade effort, the landscape is being transformed into what I can only describe as a "friendly land": an ecosystem reborn from an industrial scar that is teeming with new life. The vast pit is destined to become Germany's second-largest lake after 2029. UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad joined the global delegation of parliamentarians from the Global Changemaker Academy, who were welcomed by the deputy mayor of Eschweiler at City Hall (Stadt Eschweiler Rathaus). What is happening in Eschweiler is powerful and tangible, going beyond a "good story." It is a prime example of what can happen when investment, technology, law and community dialogue converge. But Eschweiler's story is a complex narrative of a just transition that acknowledges the decades of community displacement and environmental degradation that preceded it. The most important lesson from this visit is not found in the soil or the newly planted trees. It is found in the law. The remarkable restoration we have seen did not happen by virtue of corporate goodwill alone. It was the direct result of a robust, forward-thinking legislative framework: Germany's Federal Mining Act. The law shows the principle that those who profit from extracting resources are responsible for restoring the land afterward. It requires companies to submit detailed, science-based reclamation plans for approval before any earth is moved. This legal framework designs the end from the beginning. The successful restoration of the land was achieved because the law required it, setting ambitious standards and ensuring the land was returned to the people in a healthy, productive and ecologically diverse state. UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad This is the critical framework we must bring from Eschweiler to the rest of the world. For the parliamentarians who joined me, this was the primary takeaway. While the specific restoration techniques or financial scale of this "Rolls Royce" project may not be replicable everywhere, the principle of strong, enforceable policies is universal. As lawmakers, they are the architects of this change. For three decades, the international community has addressed our planet's greatest challenges through three related agreements stemming from the Rio Earth Summit. Too often, these agreements tended to be pursued in relative isolation. Eschweiler shows us, in contrast, that on-the-ground action creates the constructive collaboration we need. Here, land restoration is the unifying, practical action that allows us to address climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification all at once. The restored Inde River flows through a lush, green landscape that was once an open pit mine. Wind turbines in the background represent the successful integration of a revived ecosystem and a clean energy future. Healthy soil and thriving ecosystems act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Restored lands become our best defense against climate shocks. They act like natural sponges, absorbing floodwaters and keeping moisture during droughts. At the same time, restoration is the engine of biodiversity's return. By rebuilding healthy soil and restoring water cycles, we lay the foundation for life. Reintroducing native plants sets the stage for the return of pollinators, insects, birds and mammals, transforming a barren landscape into a complex, resilient web of life. My journey from Eschweiler starts locally but will go globally. This first field visit as Executive Secretary served as a clear statement of intent. I am here for the land. Seeing this restoration firsthand alongside these dedicated lawmakers reinforces my conviction. My message to them and to leaders everywhere is this: "The UNCCD stands ready to be your partner on the ground. We will come to your countries, walk your landscapes and work with you to craft the people-centric policies that will bring your land back to life." The Blausteinsee, a popular recreational lake formed from an old open pit mine, features a visible power plant in the distance. Its transformation from an industrial scar to a community hub for nature and leisure exemplifies the ultimate vision of restoration.  

As the planet continues to warm, harsher droughts, extreme heat and erratic rainfall are eroding the food security and livelihoods of millions – especially the smallholder farmers who produce one third of the world’s food. Over the past three decades, disasters have caused US$3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses globally. But in regions like Africa, only three per cent of family farmers have agricultural insurance, leaving millions exposed to shocks. Meanwhile, land degradation and drought are pushing rural communities deeper into poverty, jeopardizing the ability to feed a growing world population.  One way to address the challenge is reducing insurance premiums for farmers who manage the land sustainably, as explained by a new report commissioned by UNCCD and funded by the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) This innovative model leverages mobile and satellite technologies, behavioral science and systems thinking to provide financial protection while promoting sustainable land use. The report, called ‘Securing Land and Livelihoods: Insurance for Drought Resilience,’ shows the practical and economic benefits of the model through case studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and the Horn of Africa. To put it in practice, authors recommend building public-private partnerships, establishing pilot projects and embedding these solutions into national development plans and climate risk strategies. This integrated model reflects UNCCD’s commitment to solutions that align land management, insurance innovation and resilience-building for the communities most affected by land degradation and drought. A pilot project is underway in Namibia, with progress to be shared at UNCCD CRIC23 this December, and the project findings to be presented at a dedicated insurance event during UNCCD COP16 in 2026. 

Civil society is on the frontline of the land challenge — and they are essential partners for the UNCCD. From farmers’ associations to women’s cooperatives and youth networks, civil society organizations (CSOs) bring local realities to the global stage. The CSOs amplify the lived reality that land degradation is not only an environmental issue but as a direct challenge to livelihoods, food security and the future of our communities. Today, nearly 1,200 are accredited to the UNCCD and their engagement supported and coordinated through the UNCCD CSO Panel. This structure ensures that voices from local communities are heard in international negotiations, connecting grassroots experience with global policymaking on the future of our land.At the heart of the Convention’s work is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) — the global commitment to balance the amount of healthy and productive land with the land being degraded. The goal is simple but urgent: by 2030, reduce degradation, restore what has been lost and make sure there is no net loss of healthy, productive land.  To turn this ambition into action, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched the Medium Size Project “Strengthening Civil Society Role in Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (CS4LDN).”  Backed by two million USD in funding, this three-year initiative is implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and executed by Both ENDS on behalf of the Drynet network, with IUCN also serving as co-executor. The project is carried out in close partnership with the UNCCD CSO Panel, the UNCCD Secretariat and other global stakeholders. Through CS4LDN, civil society organizations are better positioned to influence LDN policy and practice — linking community-driven initiatives with international decision-making. The project focuses on two main areas: Influencing LDN – raising the visibility and policy impact of CSOs in LDN efforts. This includes building skills in advocacy and communication, promoting local initiatives and supporting CSO participation in global forums such as UNCCD COP and CRIC events.Leveraging LDN – Improving CSO access to funding by strengthening fundraising skills and building connections with donors. Activities range from training and donor roundtables to a study on funding barriers, with special focus on challenges faced by CSOs in the Global South.  CS4LDN follows a collaborative, cross-learning approach. Webinars, mentorships and workshops strengthen CSO capacity, while knowledge is shared through an online platform, newsletters and storytelling. A strong focus is placed on amplifying voices from youth- and women-led initiatives. The project is guided by a Project Management Unit (Both ENDS and IUCN) and a Steering Committee that includes the Drynet Board, IUCN, the UNCCD CSO Panel and the UNCCD Secretariat. It will also support CSO consultations and participation in major gatherings, including UNCCD CRIC23 in Panama this December as well as Désertif’actions and UNCCD COP17 in 2026. Photo: © IISD/ENB Anastasia Rodopoulou

Mongolia has unveiled the official logo for the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), taking place in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August 2026. The emblem blends deep cultural symbolism with a call to global action, reflecting UNCCD’s mission to unite nations in finding solutions to desertification, land degradation and drought. The unveiling of the logo marks the beginning of one-year countdown to UNCCD COP17. More than a visual identity, it is an invitation to join hands in planting seeds of unity, resilience and shared trust — so that lands once degraded may flourish again.  At the top of the logo, radiating sunrays recall the eternal expanse of the sky — a life-giving force in Mongolian cosmology — which echoes the Sustainable Development Goals and represents the solutions to environmental challenges faced by humanity. The rays flow into the silhouette of a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt), crowned with a toono — the circular opening through which the sky enters the home. This symbol of harmony between people and nature echoes the timeless wisdom of nomadic life and the belief that the earth is both homeland and heritage. Beneath, an open hand cradles the Earth with gentle strength, a gesture of stewardship and protection, while from the palm a green sprout emerges — a sign of resilience, renewal and the promise of a restored world. Together, these elements express COP17’s central message: that our collective efforts, diverse knowledge and shared responsibility can transform the challenges of land degradation into opportunities. With over 75 per cent of its land affected by degradation, Mongolia has made land restoration a national priority through initiatives such as the “Billions of Trees” movement, the “White Gold” rural development programme and the “Food Revolution” agri-soil campaign. Hosting UNCCD COP17 will provide a platform to share these experiences while catalyzing global cooperation to address the interlinked crises of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss.  UNCCD COP17 will bring together delegates from 197 Parties, academia, civil society and private sector to advance drought resilience and land restoration goals. The conference aligns with the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), an initiative championed by Mongolia to highlight sustainable rangeland management and the needs of over one billion people who depend directly on these ecosystems. 

Le secrétariat de la Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification (CNULCD) présente ses compliments à les États parties et observateurs à la convention et a l’honneur de l’informer que la vingt-troisième session du Comité chargé de l’examen de la mise en oeuvre de la Convention (CRIC 23) de la CNULCD se tiendra au Centre des congrès de la ville de Panama (république du Panama), du 1er au 5 décembre 2025. Les consultations des pays parties touchés visés dans les annexes de la Convention concernant la mise en oeuvre au niveau régional pour l’Afrique, l’Asie, l’Amérique latine et les Caraïbes, le nord de la Méditerranée et l’Europe centrale et orientale, visant à préparer la vingt-troisième session du CRIC, se tiendront le 30 novembre 2025 au Centre des congrès de Panama. De plus amples informations sur les consultations régionales seront communiquées ultérieurement. En considération de ce qui précède, le secrétariat de la CNULCD a l’honneur d’inviter votre gouvernement à participer à la vingt-troisième session du CRIC. L’ordre du jour provisoire (ICCD/CRIC(23)/1) et les documents préalables à la session seront communiqués en temps utile sur le site web de la CNULCD. Conformément à la décision 13/COP16, lors de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC, les Parties examineront la mise en oeuvre effective de la Convention aux niveaux national, sous-régional et régional. À cette fin, des informations actualisées sur la mise en oeuvre des objectifs volontaires de neutralité en matière de dégradation des terres et les efforts afférents, ainsi que le suivi assuré des cadres politiques identifiés au cours de la seizième session de la Conférence des Parties, seront présentés lors de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC. L’état d’avancement et la promotion d’activités de renforcement ciblé des capacités visant à favoriser la mise en oeuvre de la Convention seront également examinés lors de cette session. Un rapport sur l’état d’avancement de l’amélioration des procédures de communication des informations ainsi que sur la qualité et les formats des rapports destinés à être présentés à la Conférence des Parties, conformément à la décision 4/COP16, sera également présenté lors de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC. Le Groupe de travail intergouvernemental sur le futur cadre stratégique de la Convention présentera son rapport intérimaire pour consultation aux Parties, aux organisations intergouvernementales et aux groupes régionaux lors de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC. En outre, conformément à la décision 20/COP.16 OP8, la vingt-troisième session du CRIC examinera les priorités en termes d’orientations scientifiques et politiques afin de permettre aux Parties de prendre des initiatives et de communiquer leurs réactions sur les travaux de l’Interface science-politique, une attention particulière étant accordée ce faisant aux contributions au contenu de chaque rapport phare. Distribution: Aux Parties et aux États observateurs par l’intermédiaire de leurs missions diplomatiques accréditées auprès de la République fédérale d’Allemagne, des points focaux nationaux et des missions permanentes accréditées auprès de l’ONUG. Dans leur décision 25/COP.16, les Parties ont demandé que le Caucus sur le Genre soit convoqué dans le cadre du programme de travail officiel de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC afin d’identifier les obstacles à la mise en oeuvre du Plan d’action pour la parité des sexes, de partager les meilleures pratiques en matière de promotion de l’égalité des sexes et de l’autonomisation des femmes et des filles, et d’encourager la participation et l’engagement des femmes et des filles issues des peuples autochtones, des communautés locales, des organisations de jeunesse et de la société civile. Conformément aux demandes des Parties, la session facilitera les échanges interactifs entre les Parties et leurs partenaires de développement sur des thèmes choisis par le Bureau du CRIC. Afin d’aider les délégations à préparer la conférence, un document intitulé « Informations à l’intention des participants » (ICCD/CRIC(23)/INF.1) peut être consulté sur le site web de la CNULCD. Comme par le passé, la vingt-troisième session du CRIC se déroulera sans support papier. Ses documents officiels et son journal quotidien ne seront donc ni imprimés, ni distribués. Ils pourront être consultés sur le site web et les applications de la CNULCD. Le secrétariat saurait gré à votre gouvernement de bien vouloir désigner le ou les représentant(s) qui assistera/ont à la vingt-troisième session du CRIC. Il sera possible de s’inscrire en ligne à partir du 15 septembre 2025 en cliquant sur le lien suivant. Pour de plus amples informations sur l’inscription en ligne, cf. le document «  Informations à l’intention des participants » (ICCD/CRIC(21)/INF.1). Le secrétariat rappelle aux participants qu’ils sont responsables de l’obtention de leur visa, de leur réservation d’hôtel et de toute assurance maladie ou autre dont ils pourraient avoir besoin. Les participants ayant besoin d’un visa doivent en faire la demande en ligne en remplissant le formulaire ad hoc à l’adresse suivante https://lara.migracion.gob.pa et en téléversant une copie numérisée d’une photo d’identité et de la page des données personnelles de leur passeport. Un guide rapide comportant des instructions détaillées sur la manière de postuler sera publié dans les meilleurs délais sur la page web de la vingt-troisième session du CRIC de la CNULCD.Le secrétariat de la Convention des Nations Unies sur la lutte contre la désertification saisit cette occasion pour renouveler à les États parties et observateurs à la convention l’assurance de sa très haute considération.