Desertification: World leaders gather in Mongolia to restore land and build drought resilience

Up to 40% of the world’s land is currently degraded © Giovanni Cordioli/Unsplash

Land restoration, drought resilience and the future of the world’s rangelands will be high on the agenda as countries from around the world meet in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).

Land under growing pressure

Up to 40% of the world’s land is currently degraded, according to official United Nations estimates. The consequences extend far beyond the environment: degraded land can reduce food production and water availability, undermine livelihoods and increase economic and social vulnerability.

Human activities have significantly altered 75% of the Earth’s land surface, reducing productivity across 23% of the global terrestrial area, according to landmark findings by IPBES (the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services).

The choice of Mongolia as host for COP17 brings particular significance to this year’s conference. Nearly 77% of Mongolia’s land is degraded, according to UNCCD, making land restoration and sustainable management a pressing national concern.

European countries have been reeling from the effects of drought, with Western Europe experiencing this year its hottest June-July period on record. The heat and exceptionally low soil moisture levels and drought are having a devastating impact on ecosystems, agriculture, river levels, transport and energy – as well as increasing the risk of fires.

Land underpins human survival

Held under the theme ‘Restoring Land. Restoring Hope’COP17 is expected to bring together delegates from the UNCCD’s 197 Parties, alongside representatives of governments, businesses and civil society, scientists, young people, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and smallholder farmers.

Over two weeks, participants will seek to accelerate action against desertification, land degradation and drought – challenges that increasingly affect food and water security, livelihoods, economic stability and the resilience of communities around the world.

“Land is our most vital infrastructure — underpinning food security, water, livelihoods and stability,” UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad said ahead of the conference. She has called for COP17 to advance practical and investable solutions that restore degraded land and soils while strengthening the relationship between land and water management.

The conference programme reflects that broad challenge. Discussions will focus on land restoration, drought resilience, water, rangelands and food systems, with particular attention to turning political commitments into practical action and mobilising the financing needed to implement solutions at scale.

A high-level segment during the second week will include ministerial dialogues, while thematic days will focus on finance; water; land and people; and food systems and soil health. Special events will address issues ranging from sand and dust storms and migration to youth participation, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and private-sector engagement.

COP17 also takes place during the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, an observance championed by Mongolia. Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and directly support the livelihoods of around 500 million people, while contributing substantially to global food systems. Yet these ecosystems are increasingly under pressure from degradation and drought.

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