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[INTERNATIONAL] · Mongolia, Brazil · 51 sources

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COP17 begins in Mongolia to address desertification and drought

The 17th UN Conference to Combat Desertification (COP17) commenced on August 17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The summit brings together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union to address global soil degradation, drought, and land restoration. A primary objective is the creation of a new international instrument to strengthen drought governance, following unresolved discussions from COP16 in Saudi Arabia.

The conference occurs amid rising global environmental concerns. Data from the UNCCD indicates that drought frequency and duration have increased by nearly 30% since 2000, and soil degradation currently affects approximately 40% of the world's land. Projections suggest that by 2050, three out of four people globally could be impacted by drought conditions.

In Brazil, the crisis is manifesting through severe drought across all five regions. At least 157 municipalities have been classified under severe drought conditions as of July 2026, impacting agriculture and water security. Notably, the number of indigenous territories in Brazil affected by severe drought rose from three in June to 17 in July. The Amazon region also faces significant challenges, with low river levels disrupting logistics, food supplies, and medicine transport.

Entities

Articulação Semiárido Brasileiro · Brazil · COP17 · Cemaden · Ivi Aliana · Mongolia · Sudene · Ulaanbaatar · United Nations · United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification · Yasmine Fouad

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Sources

A logística da floresta em tempos de seca [franciscogomesdasilva.com.br]