UNCCD COP17 concludes with $1.3 billion pledge for land restoration

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with a commitment of $1.3 billion for land restoration and drought resilience. The funding package targets 23 countries across five continents.

Of the total amount, $644.5 million represents new funding, while $216.4 million has already been confirmed and is currently being implemented. The initiative involves a diverse group of stakeholders, including governments, development banks, international funds, and private investors, aiming to treat land restoration as a distinct investment sector.

Additional outcomes from the conference include the creation of a global catalytic financing platform for drought resilience, which seeks to mobilize up to $400 million to shift from reactive to proactive preparedness. The summit also saw increased engagement from municipal leaders, with mayors requesting inclusion in the implementation of these environmental solutions.