UNCCD COP17: Egypt calls for binding global drought protocol

At the UNCCD COP17 ministerial segment in Mongolia, international representatives emphasized the urgent need to address land degradation, drought, and desertification as critical threats to food security, water availability, and socioeconomic stability.

Egypt’s Water Resources and Irrigation Minister, Hani Sewilam, called for the establishment of a legally binding international protocol on drought. He advocated for a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention and preparedness, including enhanced early-warning systems and integrated resource management. Sewilam also highlighted the need for increased financing and innovative financial instruments to support vulnerable nations, particularly in Africa, and stressed that transboundary water resources must be governed by international law to avoid undermining riparian interests.

Representing Azerbaijan, Parvana Valiyeva highlighted the necessity of integrating land management into broader economic and social protection agendas. She noted that Azerbaijan has implemented a comprehensive legal framework, including Land and Forest Codes, to manage ecosystems and combat drought. Valiyeva underscored that combating land degradation is essential for building economic resilience and ensuring long-term food and water security.