By Abdullahi Lukman
The Government of Mongolia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification have announced thematic days and an action agenda ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), aimed at accelerating land restoration, strengthening drought resilience and promoting sustainable food systems.
The conference is scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar from August 17 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.”
According to UNCCD Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad, the event offers a crucial opportunity for countries to translate commitments into tangible outcomes, particularly through increased financing and improved preparedness for drought.
Fouad noted that nations have pledged to restore one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, with over 70 countries already implementing national drought strategies.
She emphasised that healthy land is vital for food security, water supply, economic stability and global resilience.
Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Batbaatar Bat, said the Riyadh–Ulaanbaatar Action Agenda would serve as a collaborative framework to mobilise investments and strengthen global drought response.
He urged governments, businesses and development partners to accelerate efforts toward sustainable and resilient economies.
Delegates from the UNCCD’s 197 member parties, alongside scientists, private sector stakeholders and land users, are expected to attend the conference, which will set the tone for subsequent global meetings on biodiversity and climate change in 2026.
To support implementation, COP17 will feature four thematic days. Finance Day on August 24 will address the estimated $1 billion daily funding gap for land restoration.
Water Day on August 25 will focus on drought preparedness and water management, amid projections that a majority of the global population could face drought by 2050.
Land and People Day, scheduled for August 26, will highlight the importance of rangelands supporting around 500 million people, while amplifying the voices of indigenous groups and youth.
The final day, Food Systems and Soil Health on August 27, will explore ways to increase food production by at least 50 per cent by 2050 while reducing land degradation.
Fouad explained that the thematic structure is designed to connect policy with practical action by fostering collaboration among governments, scientists and communities.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, a signatory to the UNCCD, continues to face significant challenges from land degradation and desertification, particularly in its northern regions.
The country has previously advocated for increased global funding and technical support, including at COP16 in Riyadh in 2024, and remains committed to initiatives such as the Great Green Wall aimed at restoring degraded land and improving resilience.
Experts say the outcomes of COP17 will be vital for Nigeria and other developing nations seeking stronger financial backing, technology transfer and scalable solutions to combat land degradation and drought.