Ulaanbaatar, April 22, 2025 /MONTSAME/ Mongolia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) in 2026. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Mongolia, and the United Nations Development Programme jointly held the first Consultative Meeting of Development Partners on April 21, 2025.

The consultative meeting was attended by more than 80 representatives from the Office of the President of Mongolia, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Development, embassies in Mongolia, the United Nations, and other international development agencies. At the meeting, the Government of Mongolia presented its policies and objectives for organizing the Conference and discussed the cooperation with development partner countries and organizations.

The National Committee Responsible for Organizing the Conference was established according to a Government Resolution. The National Committee is headed by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Odontuya Saldan. At the meeting, the Minister noted that hosting the two-week-long COP17 in Ulaanbaatar is a great opportunity and a strategically important event. At a time when 76.9 percent of Mongolia's total territory has been affected by desertification, hosting the Conference in cooperation with development partners is crucial for the prevention of the ecological destruction of Mongolia's land and environment.

During the meeting, the COP17 Preparatory Office and the United Nations Development Programme signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in support of Mongolia’s Presidency of COP17.

Director of the COP17 Preparatory Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden said, “This MoU marks a significant step forward in our preparations for COP17 and in advancing Mongolia’s role as a global contributor to land restoration and climate solutions. With UNDP’s partnership, we aim not only to deliver an inclusive and high-impact COP17, but also to leave a lasting legacy that supports sustainable development across rangelands, drylands, communities, and ecosystems both in Mongolia and globally.”

The MoU outlines a shared commitment to ensure a successful, inclusive, and impactful organization of COP17. It focuses on three strategic areas: strengthening the institutional and public engagement capacity of Mongolia’s COP17 Presidency; co-developing national and global legacy programmes that will extend the impact of COP17 well beyond 2026, and showcasing Mongolia’s homegrown solutions and innovations to address land degradation, desertification, and drought, and supporting the objectives of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The agreement also commits both parties to enhance efforts to mobilize the necessary financial and technical resources. 

Hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Mongolia will provide a major impetus to align national policies and activities in the environmental and land sectors with international standards and norms, in addition to drawing attention to solving Mongolia’s environmental problems.