Mongolia hosts UNCCD COP17 summit to address land degradation

COP17 desertification land degradation UNCCD Mongolia

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has opened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope’, representatives from 197 countries are meeting to address the escalating crises of land degradation, drought, and desertification.

Key discussions focus on transitioning from high-level declarations to concrete implementation. This includes mobilizing significant investment to bridge the funding gap, with the UNCCD estimating that $2.6 trillion is required by 2030 to combat land degradation. Participants are also exploring the link between land restoration and peacebuilding, as a coalition of 400 civil society organizations has urged states to use restoration as a tool for conflict prevention.

The summit faces pressure from Indigenous groups and civil society activists, who have protested to demand more meaningful participation in official negotiations. They argue that traditional knowledge and the rights of local communities must be central to decision-making processes. Additionally, experts are examining how renewable energy transitions can be integrated with land restoration efforts to protect ecosystems while meeting global energy needs.

Entities

Malawi · Mongolia · Nyam-Osoryn Uchral · Ulaanbaatar · United Nations · United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification · Yasmine Fouad

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Arid, semi-arid, and dry zones cover at least 45% of the Earth's surface. www.ecoportal.net
[● 3 SOURCES] UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad called for the COP17 to be a summit focused on implementation rather than just declarations. noticiasambientales.com · www.downtoearth.org.in · www.ecoportal.net
[● 2 SOURCES] A coalition of 400 civil society organizations urged states to use land restoration as a tool for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. www.pressafrik.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Indigenous representatives protested to demand meaningful participation in official UNCCD negotiations. it.euronews.com · www.downtoearth.org.in · www.euronews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The UNCCD estimates that approximately $2.6 trillion is needed by 2030 to combat land degradation. soha.vn
[○ 1 SOURCE] At least 100 million hectares of land were degraded annually between 2015 and 2019. www.ecoportal.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Land degradation causes nearly $900 billion in annual losses. mwnation.com
[DISPUTED] Approximately 80% of Mongolia's territory is affected by soil degradation. noticiasambientales.com · mwnation.com