(9th meeting) 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) under the theme Restoring Land. Restoring Hope held from August 17-28, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The ministerial dialogue will provide an opportunity to exchange views on how stronger policy alignment and land-use planning can prevent rangeland degradation, conversion and fragmentation. It will recognize the critical role of pastoralist systems and community-based grazing rights in the stewardship of rangelands. The dialogue will explore the transformative potential of sustainable land management and drought resilience as ways to address growing challenges to the health and productivity of rangelands and the well-being of their communities. It will also consider how to identify rangeland restoration projects ready for investment and bridge the gap between available finance and the needs of rangeland communities. Discussions will explore incentive mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services and sustainable supply chains for higher-value products.
