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Mongolia COP17 desertification summit

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2026-08-17 18:32 UTC → 2026-08-18 00:29 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 17th United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (COP17) officially opened on August 17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Running through August 28, the summit brings together approximately 10,000 representatives from 197 countries and ~~regional organizations~~ the European Union to address land degradation, drought, and ecosystem restoration under the theme ‘Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.’ A primary objective of this year’s conference is to establish a binding international agreement on drought management, an issue that remained unresolved during the previous COP16 meeting in Riyadh. Delegates are also expected to focus on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, increasing global financing for land protection, and strengthening the participation of youth, gender groups, and indigenous peoples. The conference also seeks to improve coordination between the UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification. The summit occurs in a critical context, as nearly 82% of Mongolia’s land is degraded. Globally, desertification affects approximately 40% of the Earth’s surface, threatening 3.2 billion people and causing annual economic costs estimated between 880 and 900 billion dollars. Additionally, approximately 100 million hectares of healthy land become unproductive every year. While land restoration is costly, experts emphasize its economic viability, noting that every dollar invested could potentially return between 7 and 30 dollars.

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