Ulaanbaatar
National Organizing Committee for COP 17 Holds Inaugural Meeting
Politics
Ulaanbaatar, February 7, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The National Committee in charge of Management and Coordination of Preparations for the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which will take place in Mongolia in 2026, held its inaugural Meeting on February 6, 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia and Chairperson of National Committee in charge of Management and Coordination of Preparations for the UNCCD COP17 Odontuya Saldan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Deputy Chairperson of National Committee in charge of Management and Coordination of Preparations for the UNCCD COP17 Battsetseg Batmunkh delivered opening remarks. Senior officials from relevant ministries and members of the National Committee took part in the Meeting.
At the Meeting, the COP17 Preparatory Office under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change presented updates on the ongoing preparations and upcoming measures to be undertaken for COP 17. Additionally, the meeting reviewed and approved the National Committee regulations.
In her remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh emphasized that Mongolia’s successful bid to host COP17 demonstrates the country's growing international reputation and its contributions to global efforts of maintaining peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, and the fight against desertification. She underscored the critical need for coordinated and efficient action by the Government of Mongolia to ensure the successful organization of this international conference in 2026. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of engaging and fostering collaboration with the private sector by providing them with concrete information.
Hosting COP17 in Mongolia will give a major impetus to the efforts of the Government to align its national environmental policies and land management practices with international standards and best practices. Moreover, it presents an opportunity to draw global attention to Mongolia’s pressing environmental challenges and facilitate practical solutions.
