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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. 

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 7 August 2026 – The Silk Road Caravan, a global outreach campaign shining the spotlight on rangelands and pastoralists, today begins its journey across Mongolia, just days before the start of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar on 17 August. For millennia, the Mongolian steppe has witnessed the movement of people, goods and ideas across Eurasia. The Orkhon Valley, one of Mongolia's most important historical landscapes, served as the political and cultural centre of successive nomadic empires, while generations of pastoralists developed a way of life that still defines Mongolia today. This August, that story continues. Ahead of UNCCD COP17, the UNCCD Silk Road Caravan arrives in Mongolia after travelling more than 6,000 kilometres, across Eurasia. Along the way, it has brought together pastoralists, scientists, policymakers, young people and local communities to share experiences and practical solutions for restoring rangelands and building resilience to increasing drought conditions.  Launched by the UNCCD in support of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 (IYRP 2026), the Silk Road Caravan follows the spirit of the historic routes that once linked Asia and Europe. Since departing Türkiye in May, participants have travelled through the Russian Federation, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China, visiting restoration initiatives and meeting local communities along the way. The journey has highlighted how dedicated efforts and cooperation at all levels can help restore degraded land. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, said: Throughout the Silk Road Caravan journey, we have seen how countries and communities are managing and restoring rangelands that are inseparable from their identities, cultures, economies and ways of life. Every stop along the journey has reinforced one simple truth: people are at the heart of restoration. Those experiences remind us that there is no single path to restoration. As we gather in Mongolia for COP17, our responsibility is to turn these local experiences into global action, strengthening international cooperation and investing in the people who have been caring for these landscapes for generations." Ts. Sandag-Ochir, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia: Land degradation, desertification and climate change know no borders. They are shared challenges that demand shared solutions. The Silk Road Caravan arrives in Mongolia after connecting experiences, local solutions and the voices of people across countries along its journey. It is particularly meaningful that the Caravan’s journey concludes where UNCCD COP17 begins. Our goal is to carry the experiences and lessons gathered along the way forward in Ulaanbaatar — turning them into concrete commitments, stronger cooperation and practical solutions that can be put into action.Tsagaankhuu Iderbat Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, said: Mongolia has a long tradition of pastoralism and a deep connection to its vast rangelands, which have shaped our nomadic culture for generations. Recognizing the global importance of rangelands and pastoralists, Mongolia was proud to initiate the proposal that led the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The arrival of the Silk Road Caravan in Mongolia, followed by UNCCD COP17, provides a unique opportunity to bring global attention to rangelands, land degradation and climate change. It also reminds us that the knowledge and experience of pastoralists, developed over generations of living in harmony with nature, remain an essential part of the solutions we need today.  Rangelands cover 54 per cent of the Earth's land surface, support around two billion people, provide nearly 70 per cent of global livestock feed and store vast amounts of carbon. Yet up to half are already degraded, putting biodiversity, food production and rural livelihoods at risk. The experiences gathered along the Caravan will now be carried into COP17, where countries will consider the next steps for restoring and protecting rangelands.  In Mongolia, rangelands are the foundation of pastoral life. Covering around 70 per cent of the national territory, they support the livelihoods of approximately one third of the population and form one of the world's largest remaining pastoral landscapes. Yet these same landscapes are under increasing pressure. Nearly 77 per cent of Mongolia's land is affected by degradation. Droughts are becoming more frequent, while the annual number of sand and dust storm days has more than tripled since the 1960s. In 2023–2024, a devastating combination of summer drought followed by the harsh winter known as dzud resulted in the loss of more than seven million livestock. The disaster showed how exposed pastoral communities are to drought and climate extremes. Avirmed Gan-Ochir, an Animal Breeding Specialist at the Greengold Mongolian Rangeland Research Center and a participant in the Silk Road Caravan, said: " As someone who grew up on Mongolia's rangelands, it has been inspiring to travel through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and meet pastoralists whose lives are so different, yet so similar to my own. Every community has taught us something new, from how they adapt to a changing climate to how they preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations. I am proud that the Caravan is now arriving in Mongolia, and I look forward to welcoming everyone to our country, sharing our own experiences, and continuing this exchange of knowledge ahead of COP17. Aldarjavkhlan Jukov Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth of Mongolia, said: "For centuries, the Silk Road connected countries, peoples and civilizations. As the Silk Road Caravan reaches Mongolia, it offers an opportunity to share our nomadic culture, traditions and long-standing heritage of living in harmony with nature. Hosting the Caravan's final stage and welcoming the world to UNCCD COP17 creates a meaningful connection between Mongolia's cultural heritage and today's global challenges, including land degradation, desertification and ecosystem restoration. It is an opportunity to learn from the knowledge of the past while working together towards a more sustainable future." The challenges facing Mongolia are shared by many dryland countries. From 17 to 28 August, COP17 will bring together governments, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, civil society organizations, businesses and international organizations in Ulaanbaatar to discuss practical solutions for land restoration, drought and sustainable rangeland management. As the first of this year's three Rio conventions’ Conferences of the Parties (COP), it is expected to help shape the international agenda on land. Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, UNCCD COP17 will also highlight the vital role of rangelands in supporting food security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. Silk Road Caravan participants will spend a week travelling across Mongolia, from the Gobi Desert to the forests and grasslands of the country's centre. They will meet nomadic herder families, researchers, local authorities and pastoral cooperatives, and visit land restoration projects. The route includes Hustai National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, the Ramsar-listed Ugii Lake and the Mini Naadam festival. Participants will see first-hand how people across Mongolia's rangelands are responding to land degradation and drought. They will also join activities marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists before reaching Ulaanbaatar in time for COP17. NOTE TO EDITORS Media opportunities During the Mongolian leg of the Silk Road Caravan, accredited media will have opportunities to: Visit land restoration sites across the Gobi Desert and central Mongolia.  Meet nomadic herder families and pastoral cooperatives.  Learn about community-based rangeland restoration and sustainable grazing practices.  Visit Hustai National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape and the Ramsar-listed Ugii Lake.  Interview international Caravan participants, Mongolian experts and UNCCD representatives.  Cover the conclusion of the Silk Road Caravan ahead of the opening of UNCCD COP17.  Media accreditation Accreditation for media representatives covering UNCCD COP17 is now open. Journalists are encouraged to apply through the United Nations Online Registration System (ORS), the official platform for media accreditation. Further information for media is available at the COP17 media page.   Follow COP17 Follow @UNCCD on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Official hashtag #COP17Mongolia Additional hashtags: #UNCCDCOP17 | #RestoringLandRestoringHope | #UNited4Land | #HerLand | #Sport4Land | #Youth4Land Resources Media kit  UNCCD COP17 website  Host country website   UN WebTV – Live broadcast of key plenary sessions with live interpretation in all six UN languages  UNCCD COP17 Visual Assets and Branding Resources  Earth Negotiations Bulletin (daily coverage, photographs and analysis)  About the Silk Road Caravan For centuries, caravans travelling on the Silk Road carried not only goods, but also ideas, cultures and knowledge between civilizations. The Silk Road Caravan seeks to revive that spirit of connection, sharing stories of people working to restore land, protect ecosystems and sustain pastoral ways of life in regions where culture, land and climate are deeply intertwined. The Silk Road Caravan is a flagship UNCCD campaign linking COP16 in Riyadh (2024) to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar (2026), in support of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026. From the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula to the vast grasslands of Eurasia, this symbolic and physical caravan journey will shine a light on rangeland ecosystems and the pastoral communities that have shaped life along these routes for generations.   It aims to raise awareness of the critical role of rangelands, which cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support two billion people globally. Through a combination of field visits, storytelling, and a documentary film, the initiative highlights both the challenges of land degradation and the solutions emerging from local communities. More information about the Silk Road Caravan: silkroadcaravan.org 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.