News & stories

Bonn, Germany, 8 June 2026 – As women’s rights are under increasing pressure worldwide and climate-related crises deepen existing inequalities, International Gender Champions from UN Women, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), together with partners, today launched the Bonn Hub of the International Gender Champions (IGC), a network of senior leaders working to advance equality and representation across the multilateral system. The initiative also served as a call for broader engagement across and beyond the United Nations system to advance gender equality and inclusive leadership. The event took place during the annual United Nations Open House — a public event showcasing the work of the 27 UN entities based in Bonn — and brought together heads of agencies, representatives of the German government and development partners, members of the diplomatic corps and local authorities, including the City of Bonn. The initiative comes at a time of mounting concern over setbacks to women’s rights and participation. According to UN Women, nearly one in four governments worldwide reported pushback against women’s rights in 2024, amid shrinking civic space and persistent discrimination. Women and girls also continue to be disproportionately affected by climate change, land degradation, drought and food insecurity, despite playing a central role in managing natural resources and supporting community resilience. Women make up around 43 per cent of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, yet less than 15 per cent of landholders globally are women — underscoring persistent disparities in access to land, finance, resources and decision-making at a time when their contribution to sustainable development has never been more important. Against this backdrop, the United Nations entities and other key development partners in Bonn are strengthening cooperation on issues ranging from climate action and land restoration to food security, resilience-building and sustainable development. Established in Geneva in 2015, the IGC network now brings together more than 300 leaders from international organizations, governments and civil society committed to advancing equality through measurable actions and institutional change. The Bonn Hub is its newest addition. Through the initiative, participating organizations will exchange experiences and work together across areas including food systems, biodiversity, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs and environmental resilience. The collaboration will also promote practical measures such as gender-responsive events and assemblies, stronger accountability mechanisms and greater representation of women in multilateral decision-making spaces to help translate commitments into measurable change. “The IGC Network is a promise of leadership with accountability, peer learning, and delivery of concrete commitments to push forward for all woman and girls. By strengthening our collective commitments across the UN Bonn Campus, we can ensure that Bonn is not only a hub for sustainability, but also a visible and credible leader in advancing gender equality across the multilateral system,” said Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships at UN Women. “At a time when hard-won gains for women’s rights are facing increasing challenges around the world, leadership matters more than ever,” noted Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, a founding member of the Bonn Hub.“Women play a central role in food production, land stewardship and community resilience, yet they continue to face major barriers in access to land, finance and decision-making. This is not only a question of equality; it is a question of resilience, sustainable development, and our collective ability to respond to growing global challenges. The International Gender Champions network is about turning commitments into concrete action and accountability.” “By launching the Bonn Hub, we are bringing together leaders committed to ensuring that women are not only represented in decision-making spaces but are empowered to shape the solutions our societies need, and reaffirming our shared determination to ensure that women have an equal voice in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.” The initiative also aims to broaden dialogue beyond traditional multilateral actors, including through collaboration with academia, civil society and, over time, the private sector, while safeguarding United Nations values and accountability standards. As one of the world’s largest centres for multilateral cooperation, Bonn hosts organizations working across climate, sustainability, development and humanitarian issues. The launch of the Bonn Hub further reinforces the city’s role as a platform for international cooperation and dialogue on gender equality at a time of growing global challenges. “Bonn is Germany’s UN City of 30 years, home to both UNCCD and UN Women, and a place for international cooperation and dialogue,” said Ursula Sautter, Deputy Mayor of the City of Bonn.“The launch of the International Gender Champions Bonn Hub strengthens Bonn’s role as a centre for multilateral action, reaffirming our shared commitment to gender equality, inclusion and sustainable development. We are proud to support an initiative that brings leaders together to turn commitments into meaningful change – unfolding the true potential of gender equal communities and societies.” Activities of the IGC Bonn Hub will begin in 2026 with a programme of exchanges, joint events and commitments aimed at advancing equality and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. -END- About the International Gender Champions The International Gender Champions (IGC) is a global leadership network bringing together decision-makers committed to breaking down gender barriers and making gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. Established in Geneva in 2015, the network includes leaders from international organizations, governments and civil society organizations across multiple hubs worldwide. All Champions commit to the IGC Panel Parity Pledge and undertake two personal, measurable commitments to advance gender equality within their organizations and areas of work. 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. 

Bonn, Germany, 8 June 2026 – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Bonn, reinforcing their cooperation on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable rural development at a time when land degradation and water stress are increasingly affecting communities and economies worldwide. The agreement was signed by UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad and GIZ Executive Board Member Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven during a ceremony attended by representatives of UNCCD, GIZ and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Building on longstanding cooperation between UNCCD, GIZ and BMZ, the agreement aims to expand joint work on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable rural development through technical cooperation, joint initiatives and knowledge exchange. The partnership comes at a time of growing international recognition that desertification, land degradation and drought are not only environmental challenges, but also major risks to food security, water resources, livelihoods, economic stability and resilience. Current estimates indicate that around USD 355 billion per year is needed globally to combat desertification, land degradation and drought, while investment remains significantly below that level.  At the same time, experience from many regions shows that sustainable land management can generate strong environmental and economic returns, with studies estimating benefits ranging from USD 7 to 30 for every dollar invested. “Land degradation and drought are increasingly affecting ecosystems, food systems and communities around the world, with impacts that go far beyond the environment,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad. “No single institution can address these challenges alone. Strengthening partnerships and accelerating implementation on the ground will be essential to build resilience, restore productive landscapes and support sustainable development. The scale of the challenge requires the same scale of ambition and cooperation. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to turning cooperation into practical action.” Through the agreement, UNCCD and GIZ will work together to help scale up practical solutions on land restoration and drought resilience, while promoting knowledge exchange, technical cooperation and new investment opportunities. "Land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected challenges that require integrated solutions. Stopping desertification helps the climate, because farmland and forests store significantly more carbon dioxide than deserts. Our deepened partnership can really make a difference,”  said GIZ's Ingrid Gabriela Hoven.“As Germany’s National Focal Point to the UNCCD, BMZ strongly supports land- and nature-based solutions and underlines the central role of land for synergies between the Rio Conventions,” said BMZ's Kerstin Henke. “Today’s agreement further strengthens collaboration between UNCCD, BMZ and GIZ in securing land, strengthening resilience and building strong partnerships for sustainable development. Ahead of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to UNCCD , which will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026, the agreement reflects growing international attention to land restoration and drought resilience as essential to food security, climate resilience and long-term stability. Under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” UNCCD COP17 will provide an important opportunity to accelerate partnerships, mobilize investment and advance practical solutions at the scale required to address global land degradation and drought challenges. GIZ has long supported sustainable development and international cooperation efforts worldwide, including initiatives related to land restoration, rural development and climate resilience. The agreement will help strengthen collaboration between GIZ and UNCCD in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and global efforts to address desertification, land degradation and drought. 

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.

Terms of Reference (ToR) for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples Caucus and a Local Communities Caucus under the Convention

By Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary, UNCCD Antalya – Türkiye

The UNCCD secretariat is launching the second round of the UNCCD Women Delegates Fund (WDF) training ahead of COP17 to support the participation and effective engagement of women delegates in the UNCCD process and negotiations. Building on the successful first WDF training implemented at CRIC23 in Panama City, the programme aims to strengthen women’s leadership, negotiation capacities and meaningful participation in multilateral environmental processes.UNCCD COP17 will convene in Ulaanbaatar from 17–28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.” As the global conference of the only legally binding international treaty addressing land degradation and drought, COP17 is expected to bring together governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, youth, women’s organizations and the private sector to advance solutions for land restoration, drought resilience  and sustainable land management.The Women Delegates Fund contributes to the implementation of the UNCCD Gender Action Plan (GAP), including its Roadmap which aims to strengthen women’s participation and leadership across all levels of UNCCD decision-making and implementation. Through targeted support and capacity-building activities, the WDF seeks to enhance women delegates’ ability to engage effectively in negotiations and contribute meaningfully to the COP17 process.The initiative is open to women delegates from developing country Parties eligible under the UNCCD Special Trust Fund for Participation, with priority given to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Governments from all Regional Implementation Annexes are invited to nominate one eligible woman delegate from their official COP17 delegation.Selected participants will benefit from:Participation support for COP17Capacity-building and negotiation support activitiesPre-COP briefings and networking opportunities with fellow women delegatesApplications must be submitted by National Focal Points through an official nomination letter, including the CV or short biography of the proposed delegate. Detailed information is available in the right-hand menu