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Accreditation for media is now available for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The conference will take place from 17 to 28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Journalists are invited to apply for accreditation via Indico. Please note that Indico is the only platform through which media accreditation and authorization to cover COP17 can be obtained. The UNCCD secretariat does not process accreditation requests submitted via email or post. Any materials sent outside the ORS will not be processed.Please ensure that all documents comply with the specified requirements and that applicant details are consistent throughout the application process. Kindly note that participation is subject to approval and that all registrations must be approved.Please monitor your email regularly for any additional documentation or information requests that may be required to confirm your application. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive a Registration Acknowledgement Letter. Information on accreditation requirements, visas, visual materials and access to the visa portal is available here: Media InformationShould you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via your online registration account or at press@unccd.int.Further details will be made available on the official COP17 website in due course.
By Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Antalya – Türkiye
Landmark journey carries momentum from UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar Bonn/Antalya, 13 May 2026 — The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today launched the Silk Road Caravan in Türkiye, kicking off a journey across Eurasian countries to spotlight rangelands and pastoralist communities on the road from the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in August 2026. Supporting the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the initiative will highlight the vital role of rangelands in sustaining food and water security, climate stability and economic resilience. It will also champion pastoralism as one of the most sustainable, yet underappreciated, livelihoods — especially in drylands, which make up most of the world’s rangelands and are among the most vulnerable to land degradation. Following the historic Silk Road, the caravan will bring together pastoralists from various countries, alongside filmmakers and experts, on a unique storytelling journey. Travelling across steppes, deserts, and highland pastures, they will engage with local communities to document solutions rooted in both traditional knowledge and the latest science — sharing these stories with a global audience through social media, the silkroadcaravan.org website and a long-form documentary. “Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support billions of people, yet in some regions are disappearing faster than rainforests. The Silk Road Caravan brings these landscapes and their stewards to the forefront of global attention, as we move from UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar with a shared responsibility to restore land, build drought resilience and secure our common future,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad during the launch ceremony in Antalya, Türkiye, alongside representatives of pastoralist communities, participating countries and partners. As host of the Caravan’s launch, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye Hasan Suver stated: “This meaningful and symbolic journey, stretching from Türkiye to Mongolia, represents a major awareness-raising initiative aimed at promoting the protection of rangelands, sustainable pastoralist livelihoods, and holistic approaches to land management. Beginning in Erzurum on 6 May and continuing through Malatya and Gaziantep before reaching Antalya, the journey highlights the value of rangeland ecosystems across the diverse geographies of our country. Through the field visits, filming, interviews, and meetings with local communities carried out along the way, we have once again seen that rangeland ecosystems are not only natural resources, but also an essential part of cultural heritage, economic resilience, and social sustainability.” UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja, artist and singer from Mali, who has travelled with the Silk Road Caravan over 1,000 km across Türkiye, said: “I am honoured to join an initiative that brings together cultures, traditions and knowledge shaped by the land. Along this journey, we will carry the voices of pastoral communities across regions, revealing how deeply people and land are connected. I believe the Silk Road Caravan will be a powerful contribution to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, helping ensure these communities and landscapes are truly seen, heard and valued.” Following Türkiye, the Silk Road Caravan will traverse several Eurasian countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia and Uzbekistan.In addition, countries around the world are encouraged to organize symbolic events in the spirit of the Silk Road Caravan on Desertification and Drought Day, to be observed globally on 17 June under the theme ‘Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”’The Caravan's journey will culminate at the UNCCD COP17, which is taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17-28 August 2026. The Eurasian rangelands (steppes) stretch over 8,000 kilometres from the Black Sea to the Mongolian Plateau and Northeast China, forming the world’s largest contiguous area of grazing land. Comprising one-quarter of global rangelands and over six per cent of the Earth’s total surface area, they are characterized by an arid to semi-arid climate and vast open spaces divided by mountain ranges, where livelihoods are largely dependent on pastoralism. Road from Riyadh to Ulaanbaatar Silk Road Caravan builds on the momentum created in 2024 at UNCCD COP16 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where countries adopted the Convention’s first-ever decision on rangelands. The decision urges Parties to prioritize policies and investments for the sustainable management of rangelands — halting their indiscriminate conversion, overexploitation, and fragmentation as well as the marginalization of pastoralists in decisions on land management and tenure security. The journey reflects the continued engagement of the COP16 Presidency, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose leadership has helped elevate land and drought as global priorities. “COP16 marked an important step forward, with countries agreeing for the first time on a dedicated decision to support the sustainable management of rangelands. As COP16 Presidency, we remain committed to maintaining this momentum — working with partners to translate commitments into coordinated action that strengthens resilience and supports livelihoods in rangelands and beyond,” said Ahmed Saleh Al-Ayada, CEO of the Saudi National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, will provide the most significant opportunity to date to advance international cooperation on sustainable rangeland management and strengthen frameworks for inclusive governance, with a focus on aligning investments, policies and practices to deliver results at scale. “We look forward to welcoming the Silk Road Caravan to Ulaanbaatar for COP17, where the voices, experiences and solutions gathered along this journey will help shape global policy discussions. Mongolia is committed to delivering strong outcomes for rangelands — advancing their sustainable management, strengthening the role of pastoral communities, and ensuring decision-makers fully recognize the value of these ecosystems and the people who steward them,” said Uyangaa Enkhtur , Officer at Livestock, Animal Genetics, Resource Policy Implementation and Coordination Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia. Rangelands are among the world’s most vital yet undervalued ecosystems, supporting around two billion people and providing one-sixth of global food supply as well as most livestock feed. They are also home to a rich diversity of cultures and biodiversity, including nearly a quarter of the world’s languages. Yet up to half of these landscapes are already degraded or at risk, with declining soil fertility, capacity for water retention and carbon storage undermining their productivity and resilience. More information about the Silk Road Caravan: silkroadcaravan.org More information about rangelands in Eurasia, Southern Africa and South America: Communal management of rangelands Community-based natural resources management in Southern Africa Land use change and rangeland degradation: Mobile pastoralism and silvopastoral solutions in South America Rangeland health and drought resilience: The promise of sustainable pastoralism in Eurasia For media enquiries For accreditation, interview requests, or to join part of the journey, please contact the UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int Photos and videos from the journey are available from: https://trello.com/b/cnDvxXv9/silk-road-caravan For media enquiries 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. About UNCCD COP17 The seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17–28 August 2026 under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.’ Delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties will join leaders from government, business, civil society, scientists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities to advance action for healthy land as a cornerstone of global resilience, stability and prosperity. As the first of the three Rio Conventions COPs —on land, biodiversity and climate— meeting this year, UNCCD COP17 will set the tone for the rest of 2026 and beyond.
Media invited to follow a landmark journey on rangelands and pastoralists linking UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh (2024) to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar (2026) A group of international pastoralists, experts, and representatives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is embarking on the Silk Road Caravan 2026, a multi-country journey across Eurasia highlighting the importance of rangelands and pastoralist communities. The journey begins in Türkiye (6–15 May 2026) and is part of a global campaign in support of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026. Travelling across key regions of Türkiye, the Caravan will engage with local communities, visit rangelands and land restoration sites, and document stories of resilience, land stewardship, and sustainable livelihoods. The journey will continue through several countries along the historic Silk Road, culminating at the UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026. Media opportunities Media representatives are invited to: Cover the journey in Türkiye at various stages along the route Join field visits to pastoralist communities and rangeland sites Conduct interviews with international participants, experts, and UNCCD representatives Capture on-the-ground stories from communities living and working on rangelands The journey across Türkiye includes visits to Erzurum, Malatya, Gaziantep and Antalya, featuring: High-altitude pastoralist sites and pasture visits Post-disaster rural recovery and land restoration initiatives Cultural heritage locations linked to the historic Silk Road Engagements with local communities and pastoralist groups An official launch ceremony of the Silk Road Caravan will take place in Antalya on 13 May 2026, bringing together international participants, government representatives, UN partners, and media. Speakers include: UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja Representatives of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Mongolia Representatives of pastoralist communities Media representatives are invited to attend the launch ceremony. A separate press release will be issued following the event. 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. This symbolic and physical caravan journey across Eurasian countries 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: https://silkroadcaravan.org For media enquiries For accreditation, interview requests, or to join part of the journey, please contact the UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int Photos and videos from the journey are available from: https://trello.com/b/cnDvxXv9/silk-road-caravan 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 to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner. About UNCCD COP17 The seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17–28 August 2026 under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.’ Delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties will join leaders from government, business, civil society, scientists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Ulaanbaatar for COP17 to advance action for healthy land as a cornerstone of global resilience, stability and prosperity. As the first of the three Rio Conventions COPs—on land, biodiversity and climate— meeting this year, UNCCD COP17 will set the tone for the rest of 2026 and beyond.
Nairobi/Bonn, 21 April 2026 – Kenya will host this year’s Desertification and Drought Day two months from now, on 17 June, as droughts and land degradation intensify worldwide, increasing pressure on rangelands and communities that depend on them. Held under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore,” Desertification and Drought Day 2026 will focus on the role of rangelands in sustaining livelihoods, strengthening resilience to drought and supporting food systems.Activities will unfold across Kenya in the week leading up to 17 June, culminating at Vipingo Central Primary School in Kilifi County. The day will see participation from high-level officials, community leaders, youth, pastoralists and partners, beginning with a ceremonial tree planting and a tour of exhibitions showcasing land restoration initiatives, followed by cultural performances led by local schools and community groups.As host, Kenya is placing a spotlight on both the realities facing dryland communities and the solutions already taking shape on the ground. Rangelands cover around 80 per cent of the country and sustain millions of people, supporting livelihoods largely through pastoralism and livestock. Their productivity is increasingly affected by climate variability and land degradation.Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah M. Barasa said: “Kenya is honored to host the global Desertification and Drought Day 2026. This is an opportunity to bring the world’s attention to the realities facing dryland communities, but also to the solutions that are already taking shape on the ground. We look forward to welcoming partners from across the world to advance a shared agenda on land restoration and drought resilience.” United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad added that the event reflects a broader shift in how land and drought are being addressed: “Rangelands are often treated as marginal land, but they are central to how economies, food systems and communities function under pressure. They are central to global stability yet in some places they are degrading faster than rainforests. This year we are shifting into practical solutions on the ground where rangelands would be at the heart of land, biodiversity and climatediscussion with the new angle of investment for the people and by the people". Why rangelands matterRangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support around two billion people worldwide. They also provide almost 70 per cent of livestock feed globally, making them critical to food systems.Up to half of the world's rangelands are degraded or at risk, with direct consequences for food security, water availability and livelihoods.The economic impact is already substantial. Land degradation is costing the global economy close to USD 900 billion each year, while droughts are becoming more frequent and more costly, with losses of at least USD 300 billion annually.Yet viable pathways for action already exist. Investing in land restoration and drought resilience reduces long-term risk and brings strong returns, making it one of the most effective ways to support sustainable development.This year’s Desertification and Drought Day puts rangelands at the centre of efforts to strengthen resilience and sustain livelihoods, highlighting their role in scaling solutions on the ground.Taking place during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the observance will also highlight the role of pastoralist communities and local knowledge in managing and restoring these landscapes.These priorities will continue at the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17), to be held in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August 2026, where governments and partners will advance efforts to address desertification, land degradation and drought. For more information, please contact: UNCCD Press Office press@unccd.int; https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2026 About Desertification and Drought Day Officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 (A/RES/49/115), Desertification and Drought Day, marked annually on 17 June, is a unique occasion to highlight practical solutions to combating desertification, land degradation and drought. Countries around the world are mobilizing to mark Desertification and Drought Day with an array of educational, cultural and sporting activities. 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.
Mongolia and UNCCD unveil thematic days five months ahead of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar/Bonn, 17 March 2026 — Five months ahead of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17), Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today unveiled the thematic days and action agenda for the conference, to be held in Ulaanbaatar from 17–28 August 2026 under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.’ Delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties will join scientists, businesses and land stewards in Ulaanbaatar for COP17 to advance action for healthy land as a cornerstone of global resilience, stability and prosperity. Scaled-up finance for land restoration and drought resilience, alongside the future of the world’s rangelands and pastoralists will shape the COP17 agenda, with the conference aimed at translating global commitments into measurable progress on the ground. As the first of the three Rio Conventions COPs—on land, biodiversity and climate—meeting this year, UNCCD COP17 will set the pace for the rest of 2026 and beyond. UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “Over the past decade, countries have committed to restoring one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, and more than 70 now have national drought plans. COP17 is our opportunity to turn these commitments into real change on the ground That means mobilizing finance at scale for land restoration and drought resilience, investing in preparedness rather than costly crisis response, and recognizing rangelands as vital assets for economies, cultures and climate. The thematic days and action agenda for COP17 reflect a simple truth: healthy land underpins food security, water availability, economic resilience and stability everywhere —and the time to act is now.” Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Batbaatar Bat, stated: “For the Government of Mongolia, the Riyadh–Ulaanbaatar Action Agenda is a strategic, participatory framework to mobilize citizens, businesses, cities and all stakeholders to restore critical ecosystems, including rangelands and agricultural lands. It drives investment in the land–water nexus and strengthens drought resilience. We call on leaders from all sectors to join us at COP17 to accelerate solutions for resilient economies and societies.”To help focus discussions and mobilize action, COP17 will feature thematic days dedicated to key priorities on the global land and drought agenda. These will bridge political decisions with real-world solutions, making everyone part of a powerful Action Agenda to advance land restoration and drought resilience. The four thematic days planed for COP17 are: Finance (24 August): Restoring land at scale requires around one billion US dollars per day, but current funding falls far short. Finance Day will bring together ministers of finance, development banks and the private sector to help close this gap and unlock large-scale investment. Water (25 August): By 2050, three out of four people worldwide are projected to face drought. Water Day will advance proactive drought risk management and strengthen cooperation on the integrated management of water resources. Land and People (26 August): Rangelands support the livelihoods of some 500 million people, but remain among the most undervalued ecosystems globally. Land and People’s Day will place the voices of land stewards at the heart of discussions, highlighting the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, pastoralists, youth, women and civil society organizations. Food Systems and Soil Health (27 August): 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. “The thematic days of COP17 are designed to focus global attention where it matters most — on the solutions and partnerships needed to restore land, strengthen drought resilience and support the people who take care of our ecosystems. By bringing together governments, scientists, businesses, local and pastoralist communities as well as Indigenous people around shared priorities, we aim to move from commitments to implementation and help ensure that healthy land continues to sustain communities, economies and ecosystems for generations to come.” added Executive Secretary Fouad. For media enquiries UNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.int Notes to editors More information about UNCCD COP17 is available here: https://www.unccd.int/cop17 Applications for the UNCCD COP17 Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship are open until 15 April 2026.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 to provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people in an equitable and inclusive manner.
