UNCCD COP17 Kicks Off in Mongolia with Focus on Land Restoration

Ulaanbaatar welcomed delegates from across the globe as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) launched its 17th Conference of the Parties on 17 August. The summit, themed “Restoring Land, Inspiring Hope,” will run until 28 August, bringing together representatives from all 197 member states.

India’s Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister, Bhupendra Yadav, arrived on Sunday to lead the nation’s delegation. In a post on X, Yadav outlined his intent to champion Land Degradation Neutrality and promote eco‑restoration measures during the conference’s plenary sessions and side events.

The minister was greeted by Indian Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve and Dr. E. Odbayar, the foreign‑policy adviser to Mongolia’s president. The Indian Embassy highlighted the significance of the visit on X, noting that the delegation will articulate India’s stance on sustainable land management.

COP17 will host a diverse mix of participants, including government officials, business leaders, civil‑society groups, scientists, youth, indigenous peoples, pastoralists and small‑holder farmers. The agenda covers strategies to curb desertification, reverse land degradation, and address drought‑related challenges.

A central focus of the conference is the role of land restoration in reducing instability in fragile regions, preventing forced migration and bolstering both humanitarian and national security. The meeting aligns with the UN General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), an initiative strongly supported by Mongolia.