The slogan for the upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), which will take place in Mongolia, has been officially approved. It reads: "Restoring our land, restoring our hope," which translates to "Restoration of land. Restoration of hope."
This session of COP17 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification will be held in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, 2026, and its motto is "Restoration of land. Restoration of hope."
Yasmin Fouad, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, noted: "Land is the foundation of food security, water supply, and stability. The resilience of communities diminishes under conditions of land degradation, leading to loss of livelihoods and population migration. At this conference, Mongolia is sending an important message to the world: land restoration is not only an environmental task but also a priority for development and resilience. The conference should facilitate the development of practical solutions so that communities can thrive in the face of drought and degradation."
Land degradation affects about 40% of all land on the planet, which has serious implications for food production, access to water, and economic stability. COP17 will be a significant moment for countries and partners to intensify efforts and attract investments in sustainable land resource management and drought combat.
Mongolia, covering an area of 1.56 million km², is one of the countries most vulnerable to desertification, with nearly 77% of its land already in a state of degradation. Holding COP17 in Ulaanbaatar will draw international attention to issues of land restoration and food security in arid regions.
The conference is taking place as part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, initiated by Mongolia and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, which opens up opportunities for sustainable management and restoration of pastures. It will also highlight the needs of communities that depend on these ecosystems for their survival.
Pastures occupy more than half of the Earth's surface, providing livelihoods for about 500 million people and meeting one-sixth of global food needs; however, they remain undervalued and are under threat of degradation.
At the conference, participants will be able to engage in high-level dialogues and forums dedicated to integrating science with policy, innovation, and financing. COP17 is expected to be a catalyst for joint actions in food systems, water resources, and soil health.
In preparation for COP17, Mongolia has initiated a number of national programs linking land restoration with rural development and livelihood security. In particular, a presidential campaign called "One Billion Trees" has been launched, aiming to plant one billion trees by 2030. Youth engagement is also being facilitated through dialogues and forums such as "Youth for Land," while the private sector is involved in the "Business for Land" initiative to support sustainable land resource management.
