UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia faces diplomatic deadlock over key agenda items

The 17th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) is currently being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, focusing on land restoration, drought resilience, and climate finance. The conference aims to address the interconnected challenges of land degradation and desertification, which threaten food security and regional stability.

Negotiations have faced significant diplomatic hurdles. The United States and Russia have reportedly contested several agenda items, including discussions on gender equality, the participation of civil society and indigenous peoples, and strengthening relations with other international institutions. These disagreements have led to the postponement of key discussions, causing concern among local communities and non-governmental organizations.

Various nations are using the forum to advocate for specific needs. Chad is pushing for increased climate financing and water security, while Senegal is calling for the strengthening of the International Drought Resilience Alliance. Central Asian delegates have highlighted the need for regional cooperation to protect mountain and steppe ecosystems. Meanwhile, Malawi and Guyana have emphasized the necessity of building resilience to prevent droughts from becoming full-scale crises.