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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.  

The UNCCD and the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) are launching the Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship for six journalists to cover COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (August 17–28, 2026).

UNCCD COP17 to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17-28 August 2026Ulaanbaatar/Bonn, 5 February 2026 – Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today announced the theme of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD as preparations intensify for the landmark global conference on desertification, land degradation and drought taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17–28 August 2026. The theme – “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope” – was announced during high-level meetings between UNCCD and Mongolia’s leadership to advance UNCCD COP17 preparations. “Land is our most vital infrastructure – underpinning food security, water, livelihoods and stability. When land fails, insecurity rises — through lost livelihoods, forced displacement and increased competition over scarce resources. With UNCCD COP17, Mongolia is offering the world a powerful message: Restoring Land, Restoring Hope is not only an environmental agenda, but a development and resilience priority. As drought intensifies and land degradation accelerates, the conference must drive practical, investable solutions – from restoring degraded land and soils to strengthening the land–water nexus - so that communities can thrive,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “Mongolia is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with hosting UNCCD COP17, and we are committed to ensuring that the Conference delivers concrete, action-oriented and lasting outcomes. As a country whose development, livelihoods and cultural heritage are deeply connected to the land, we firmly believe that land restoration is a fundamental pillar of peace, sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth. Hosting COP17 in 2026, during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, offers a unique opportunity to elevate rangelands and pastoralist livelihoods from awareness to implementation and investment, and to strengthen global cooperation in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought” noted the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr. Gombojavyn Zandanshatar. As the first of the three Rio Conventions’ COPs taking place in 2026 – on land, biodiversity and climate change, UNCCD COP17 aims to catalyze collective action to protect land-based livelihoods and strengthen resilience through a people-centered approach.COP17 is expected to bring together delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties, alongside leaders from government, business and civil society, as well as scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and smallholder farmers, to forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought, recognizing that restoring land is also essential to reducing instability, preventing displacement, and strengthening human and national security in vulnerable regions.Land degradation is already affecting up to 40 per cent of the world’s land, with far-reaching impacts on food production, water availability, livelihoods, and economic stability. COP17 offers a pivotal moment for countries and partners to strengthen implementation and mobilize greater investment in drought resilience and sustainable land management.With a vast territory of 1.56 million square kilometers, Mongolia is among the countries most affected by desertification and land degradation, with nearly 77 per cent of its land already degraded. Hosting UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar will place international focus on land restoration priorities, including approaches that safeguard livelihoods, food security and ecosystems in dryland regions.COP17 is taking place during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, declared by the United Nations General Assembly and championed by Mongolia. This presents a major opportunity to accelerate action on the sustainable management, restoration and conservation of rangelands, while spotlighting the needs of pastoralist communities who depend directly on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface, support the direct livelihoods of around 500 million people and provide one-sixth of the world’s nutrition needs, yet remain among the planet’s most overlooked and increasingly degraded ecosystems.During the two-week conference, participants will engage in a high-level segment including ministerial dialogues, alongside multistakeholder forums and thematic discussions on science–policy integration, innovation and solutions, tools and technologies, and financing. In addition to formal negotiations, COP17 is expected to catalyze collective action on rangelands, resilience and water, as well as food systems and soil health.In preparation for COP17, Mongolia has launched national initiatives linking land restoration with livelihoods and rural development, including the President-led “Billion Trees” National Campaign, initiated in 2021 and aiming to plant one billion trees by 2030. Mongolia has also expanded public engagement and youth participation through national dialogues and outreach activities, including the “Youth4Land” National Forum. Through the Mongolia Business Council, the COP17 Presidency has been engaging the country’s private sector in support of UNCCD’s Business 4 Land Initiative that aims to accelerate private sector action for sustainable land management.“Mongolia’s initiatives illustrate the kind of integrated land restoration and resilience approaches UNCCD COP17 seeks to advance. It aims to deliver stronger political momentum and practical outcomes – helping countries mobilize resources and strengthen partnerships to scale up land restoration and build resilience where it is needed most,” concluded Executive Secretary Fouad.For media enquiriesUNCCD Press Office: press@unccd.intAbout 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.

Nairobi / Bonn, 12 December 2025 – The Government of Kenya and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) today announced that Kenya will host the next global observance of Desertification and Drought Day, to be held on 17 June 2026 under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” Taking place in Kenya, the 2026 observance will highlight the central role of the world’s rangelands in climate resilience, food and water security, biodiversity conservation and the cultural identity of pastoralist and Indigenous communities. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support the lives of two billion people, including 500 million pastoralists, who have stewarded these landscapes for generations Kenya’s decision to host the global observance was formally announced by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, who extended a warm invitation to the international community to join Kenya next year:  “On behalf of the Government of Kenya allow me to extend a warm invitation to all. Next year, Kenya has the honour of hosting the Global Observance of the World Desertification and Drought Day. We warmly welcome all Member States, our partners, civil society and young people to join us as we shine a global spotlight on drought resilience, land restoration and the communities whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by these challenges.” She added that “the presence of participants will not only enrich the observance but also reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding the world’s drylands and supporting the people who depend on them. As we celebrate the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we hope the global community will stand with Kenya in recognising the immense value of these landscapes and those who steward them. We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya — as we rally the world to act on drought before drought acts on us.” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said: “We thank the Government of Kenya for hosting Desertification and Drought Day 2026 and for shining a spotlight on the world’s rangelands. These landscapes are vital for food, water, biodiversity and climate resilience. Kenya’s leadership comes at a crucial moment, as rangelands face increasing pressure worldwide. By recognising their value, respecting their traditional stewards and restoring rangelands back to health, we can strengthen the livelihoods of two billion people.”   She added that “up to half of the world’s rangelands are degraded, with some disappearing faster than rainforests, placing food security, water availability and pastoralist cultures at risk” Rangelands remain among the planet’s most undervalued ecosystems, despite their vast extent and critical importance. The degradation of these landscapes threatens biodiversity, climate regulation, and the economies of countries that depend heavily on livestock production and grazing systems. UNCCD’s recent technical assessments highlight that investing in rangeland restoration can generate returns of up to USD 35 for every USD 1 invested, due to the combined ecological and socio-economic benefits Coinciding with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the 2026 Desertification and Drought Day observance will draw global attention to the need to recognise and value rangelands for the critical functions they provide, respect the traditional stewards who have cared for them for generations, and restore degraded landscapes to secure livelihoods and ecosystem services.  Through 2026 Desertification and Drought Day, countries and communities are invited to: Recognize: rangelands’ economic contribution to national and regional economies; their role in sustaining biodiversity and wildlife; and the multiple benefits they provide, from regulating water cycles to storing carbon. Respect: pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, whose mobility, customary governance systems and ecological knowledge are essential to maintaining the health and productivity of these landscapes. Restore: rangelands by investing in sustainable land and water management, strengthening governance, improving drought preparedness and supporting community-led restoration efforts. Desertification and Drought Day, marked every year on 17 June, is the United Nations’ global moment to raise awareness of land degradation and drought, and to mobilize action to protect and restore healthy land. Desertification and Drought Day 2026 in Kenya will be the first time in nearly a decade that the African continent will host this important global observance. Previous observances took place in Colombia (2025), Germany (2024), USA (2023), Spain (2022), Costa Rica (2021), Republic of Korea (2020), Türkiye (2019), Ecuador (2018), Burkina Faso (2017) and China (2016). 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.   

New evidence shows rangelands are degrading faster than rainforests in some regions, despite bringing multiple benefits and sustaining two billion people Bonn/Panama City, 4 December 2025 – Stretching from the drylands of Latin America and Africa to the steppes of Central Asia, rangelands underpin food security, climate stability and centuries-old pastoral cultures. These vast landscapes, covering half the planet, store significant carbon, buffer climate extremes, and regulate water in some of the world’s driest regions.  Yet, despite their immense value, rangelands remain one of the planet’s most overlooked ecosystems. In several regions, they are now deteriorating faster than rainforests--with serious implications for food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. Restoring rangelands delivers some of the strongest returns of any ecosystem investment, with benefits reaching up to USD 35 for every dollar invested.  These new preliminary findings of a global cost–benefit analysis conducted by the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative were presented today at this year’s UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) meeting underway in Panama — the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23). UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Joseph Orr explains: “The analysis confirms what many pastoralist communities have long known: rangelands are strategic ecological and economic assets, not marginal lands. These gains come from higher vegetation productivity, deeper carbon storage, stronger water retention, and avoided degradation.” “The urgency is evident. Between 25 and 50 per cent of the world’s rangelands are degraded or at risk, weakening water cycles, livestock productivity, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. In regions such as the Sahel, Central Asia and parts of South America, climate pressures are already shrinking productivity and restricting pastoralist mobility - with knock-on effects for food security,” Orr said. Mark Schauer, Senior Programme Officer with the German Development Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ), which coordinates the ELD Initiative, said: “Rangeland restoration makes economic and ecological sense. By strengthening the evidence base and partnering with pastoralist communities, we can help countries design investments that unlock long-term resilience.” For more than a decade, the ELD Initiative has equipped governments with evidence on the real economic value of healthy land - and the steep losses caused by degradation. Its new discussion paper, The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration, presented at CRIC23, will be followed by a full assessment at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia next August.  “A growing body of evidence confirms that rangelands — long dismissed as marginal or ‘empty' spaces — are in fact central to climate action, food and water security and sustainable rural development. With the full economic assessment expected ahead of COP17, CRIC23 has strengthened the technical and political foundations needed to scale up investment in these vast, life-sustaining landscapes,” adds Schauer. Experts stressed that effective rangeland restoration does not depend on costly engineering. It requires secure land and water rights, community-led governance and sustainable, mobility-based grazing. When pastoralists can move with seasonal conditions, vegetation rebounds faster, soils hold more moisture and carbon stocks remain stable. This approach also strengthens the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and others whose livelihoods and cultural identities are deeply tied to rangelands. CRIC23 takes place as countries prepare for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The IYRP is expected to bring unprecedented visibility to rangelands, pastoralists and their knowledge systems. “Pastoralists have cared for these lands for generations. Their knowledge, mobility and stewardship are essential for restoring rangelands and building resilience. As the world prepares for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, we must ensure that pastoralist communities are not only heard but also supported as partners in climate and environmental sustainability actions,” said Enrique Michaud, Co-Chair of the IYRP Global Alliance. “Mongolia is a nation shaped by rangelands and pastoral traditions. We know from experience that when rangelands thrive, communities thrive. As we prepare to host COP17, our one of high priorities is to elevate rangelands on the global agenda and ensure that countries have the evidence, partnerships and investment needed to restore these vital ecosystems at scale.” notes Ariuntuya Dorjsuren, Director General for International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Environment and Climate change, NFP of Mongolia. UNCCD is contributing to IYRP through its Rangeland Flagship Initiative and the Silk Road campaign planned for 2026, which will showcase rangeland landscapes and pastoralist cultures across the 6,000-kilometer journey spanning 10 countries. These efforts build on political momentum from COP16 in Riyadh to COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, aligning recent and upcoming COP Presidencies around elevating rangelands as a global climate and livelihood priority. List of resources GLO Thematic Report on Rangelands and PastoralistsPrioritizing the protection of grasslands and savannahsEconomics of rangeland restoration