Media advisory: UN conference to shape the next phase of global action on land and drought

UNCCD COP17: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 17–28 August 2026: Media accreditation is open 

Bonn/Ulaanbaatar, 17 July 2026 -- By 2050, agriculture will need to produce at least 50 per cent more food to feed a growing global population, even as up to 40 per cent of the world's land is already degraded and the planet is becoming increasingly drier. While countries have already made global commitments to address land degradation and strengthen drought resilience, the priority now is to translate those commitments into action at the scale and speed these challenges demand. 

Against this backdrop, the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will bring together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, youth and civil society in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026. 

As the first COP of the Rio Conventions taking place this year ahead of the biodiversity and climate COPs, UNCCD COP17 will focus on the financing, partnerships and practical solutions that can help countries accelerate implementation of global commitments on land restoration and drought resilience. The conference will also underscore the role of healthy land as a foundation for climate action, biodiversity conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, UNCCD COP17 will place healthy rangelands at the heart of the global agenda. Covering 54 per cent of the Earth's land surface and supporting the livelihoods of around two billion people, rangelands are essential to food security, rural livelihoods and planetary health, yet they remain among the world's most overlooked and undervalued ecosystems.  

Among the announcements expected at UNCCD COP17 is the launch of a new global partnership to mobilize long-term investment in sustainable rangeland management and pastoral livelihoods, recognizing rangelands as strategic assets for resilient societies and economies. 

WHAT: 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 

WHEN: 17–28 August 2026 

WHERE: National Garden Park, Khoroo 26, Bayanzurkh District, Ulaanbaatar 13313, Mongolia  

PROGRAMME: https://www.unccd.int/cop17/programme 

 PARTICIPANTS:  

• Government leaders, ministers, parliamentarians, mayors and local authorities and other senior officials from the Convention's 197 Parties 
• Leaders from United Nations entities, international organizations and multilateral development banks 
• The largest-ever participation of Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and civil society organizations at a UNCCD COP, as well as farmers, women and youth  
• Scientists and leading experts on land restoration, drought resilience, food systems and sustainable rangeland management, business leaders, investors, development banks and philanthropies working to scale investment in land restoration and drought resilience 
• Prominent personalities from the worlds of art, music and sport, including UNCCD Goodwill Ambassadors and Sport4Land Champions. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT COP17 

Major announcements on new partnerships, financing initiatives and flagship programmes to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience.  

Among the expected highlights are: 

• Launch of the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, a global partnership to accelerate investment in sustainable rangeland management. 
• Major announcements on financing initiatives, new partnerships and solutions to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience. 
• New scientific reports and policy publications on drought, rangelands, healthy soil and land restoration. 
• High-level dialogues on drought resilience, sustainable rangelands, resilient agrifood systems, sand and dust storms, and migration and security. 
• First-ever formal convenings of Indigenous Peoples, and of Local Communities, as well as meetings of the Business4Land Forum, the Youth Forum, and the Gender Caucus. 
• Events marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, including the culmination of the Silk Road Caravan. 

UPCOMING REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS 

Expected publication launches during COP17 include: 

• 24 August: The Economics of Rangelands Restoration Report 
• 25 August : The Drying Planet: Drought in Numbers 2026 Report  
• 26 August: Global Land Outlook for Small Island Developing States 
• 27 August : Soil Health: The Business Case for Investing in Our Foundation White Paper .  

THEMATIC DAYS 

Each thematic day will explore practical solutions and partnerships around key issues: 

24 August – Finance Day: Restoring land at scale requires around USD 1 billion per day, yet current investment falls far short. Finance Day will bring together ministers of finance, development banks and the private sector to explore innovative financing mechanisms, mobilize public and private investment, and help close the global finance gap. 

25 August – Water Day: By 2050, three out of four people worldwide are projected to face drought. Water Day will focus on proactive drought risk management and strengthening cooperation on integrated water resources management to build resilience in an increasingly water-stressed world. 

26 August – Land and People Day: Rangelands support the livelihoods of some 500 million people, yet remain among the world's most undervalued ecosystems. Hosted during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, Land and People Day will place land stewards at the heart of discussions, highlighting the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, pastoralists, youth, women and civil society organizations. 

27 August – Food Systems and Soil Health Day: By 2050, the world will need to produce at least 50 per cent more food, even as food systems remain the leading driver of land degradation globally. Food Systems and Soil Health Day will connect soil restoration to food security, agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of farming communities. 

HIGH-LEVEL EVENTS 

COP17 will feature a series of high-level events from 24-27 August bringing together ministers, parliamentarians, business leaders, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, scientists and international organizations to advance action on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable development. 

Highlights include: 

Ministerial dialogues 

• Ministerial Dialogue on Drought Resilience (25 August, 10:00–13:00 | Plenary – Water Day): Ministers and international partners will discuss how to strengthen drought preparedness, early warning systems, integrated water management and international cooperation in response to increasing water scarcity and climate risks. 
• Ministerial Dialogue on Restoration of Rangelands and the Well-being of Pastoralist Communities (26 August, 10:00–13:00 | Plenary – Land & People Day): Held during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, this ministerial dialogue will focus on scaling policies and investment for healthy and resilient rangelands while recognizing the critical role of pastoralist communities in safeguarding one of the world's largest ecosystems.  
• High-Level Interactive Dialogue on Food Systems and Soil Health (27 August, 13:00–15:00 | Action Dome – Food Systems & Soil Health Day): Ministers of agriculture, environment and finance, together with farmers' organizations, financial institutions, private sector leaders and scientists, will discuss how to mobilize investment and accelerate the transition towards healthy soils as the foundation of resilient and inclusive agrifood systems. 

Other high-level events 

• Business4Land Forum (24 August – Finance Day, time TBC): Bringing together business leaders, investors, financial institutions and governments, the Business4Land Forum will showcase how innovative finance, sustainable value chains and public-private partnerships can unlock investment in land restoration and drought resilience. The forum will highlight new commitments and partnerships that place healthy land at the heart of resilient economies. 
• Rangelands and Pastoralists Special High-Level Event (26 August, 13:00–15:00 | Action Dome – Land & People Day): Governments, international organizations and development partners will launch the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, a global partnership to mobilize long-term investment in sustainable rangeland management and pastoral livelihoods. 
• Local Communities Caucus (26 August, 10:00–11:30 | Action Dome – Land & People Day): Community representatives will discuss locally led restoration, customary governance and community stewardship as essential foundations for resilient landscapes and sustainable development. 
• Indigenous Peoples Caucus – From Sacred Lands to Shepherding the Future (26 August, 11:30–13:00 | Action Dome – Land & People Day): Indigenous leaders will highlight traditional knowledge, customary land stewardship and rights-based approaches to restoration and sustainable land management. 
• Youth Forum – Youth, Land and Livelihoods: Building the Next Generation of Land Stewards (26 August, 15:00–16:30 | Action Dome – Land & People Day): Young people and land stewards from around the world will present their priorities and recommendations for accelerating land restoration, sustainable livelihoods and intergenerational action. 
• Gender Caucus (26 August, 15:00–18:00 | Plenary – Land & People Day): Government representatives, women's organizations and partners will discuss how strengthening women's leadership, secure land rights and equal access to resources can accelerate restoration efforts while improving livelihoods and resilience. 

MEDIA INFORMATION 

Media accreditation and logistics  

• Accreditation for media representatives covering COP17 is now open. Journalists are encouraged to apply through the Online Registration System (ORS), the official UN platform for obtaining accreditationand permissions.  
• Further information for media is available at the COP17 media page.  
• Information on visa and accommodation can be found at: UNCCD COP17 Visa and Information Portal  

Social media 

• Follow: @UNCCD (Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook)  
• Primary hashtag: #COP17Mongolia 
• Secondary hashtags: #UNCCDCOP17, #RestoringLandRestoringHope, #UNited4Land, #HerLand, #Sport4Land, #Youth4Land  

Key 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 Trello Board, including branding guidelines and key messages  
• Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage, including photos