(6th Meeting) Committee of the Whole - UNCCD COP17

Distinguished delegates, please have a seat. We will start immediately. Distinguished delegates, please have a seat. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I call to order to the committee, to the sixth meeting of the committee of the hall of the conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification at its seventeenth session. Distinguished delegates, the Committee will today proceed to take action on the draft proposals before it. This morning, we will consider four draft proposals and will reconvene this afternoon to consider the remaining draft proposals. I invite the Committee to resume its consideration of item 3 entitled final reports of the intergovernmental working groups on the future strategic framework of the Convention in order to take action on a draft decision of the same title contained in the document ICCD/COP17/INF/10. My I take it that the committee wishes to agree to recommend the draft decision contained in documents ICCD slash COP17 slash L7 to the conference of parties for adoption? I hear no objection, it's so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the draft decision? Yes, delegation who want to speak, please press the microphone. European Union, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. Chair, excellencies, distinguished delegates. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States. The European Union and its Member States welcome the renewal and extension of the mandate of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the future strategic framework. We also welcome the work undertaken so far, including the vision and key elements identified for the post-2030 framework. We emphasise that the 16 key elements are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and we recognize the critical relevance for the future strategic framework. We meet at a time when pressures on land are intensifying in every region. Desertification, land degradation and drought, exacerbated by climate change, are already undermining food security, water availability, biodiversity, resilience and livelihoods. The scale and urgency of these interconnected challenges call on us to act with clarity and ambition. This is why the Convention must equip itself with a robust, forward-looking and effective post-2030 strategic framework. It should help us to respond to emerging challenges, strengthen implementation and reinforce the relevance and impact of the Convention. We encourage strong and continuous involvement of Parties and stakeholders, including through regional consultation with parties and consultations with civil society, the private sector and practitioners. The group should also take into account relevant ongoing and forthcoming inputs, including work on monitoring and indicators, notably on gender and land tenure, lessons from the 2026 reporting process, the recommendation of the midterm evaluation of the 2018 to 2030 strategic framework, and synergies with other multilateral monitoring frameworks. We further call for close coordination and synergies with the development of the post-2030 gender action plan. At the same time, the future's framework should remain flexible enough to reflect different national realities while ensuring that the indicator system is relevant, practical and workable for all parties. We also encourage the group to consider a comprehensive theory of change to help communicate the convention's impact. On ambition, future goals and targets should be science-based, implementation-oriented, and where possible, guided by smart principles. The post-2030 strategic framework should also strengthen proactive drought management while promoting science, gender equality, secure land tenure, and synergies with the Rio Conventions and other relevant global frameworks. The European Union and its Member States remain fully committed to working with all partners towards a strong, credible and effective post-2030 strategic framework. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of European Union and I give the floor now to Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair. We thank you for convening this plenary session and for the opportunity to set our expectations for the future strategic framework of the Convention. We meet at a moment when the challenges this Convention was created to address are growing, not receding. Up to 40% of the world's land is already degraded and this directly affects around half of humanity. The frequency and intensity of droughts have risen by almost 30% since the year of 2000. And current projections indicate that by 2050, three in every four people may be affected by drought. If present trends continue, an additional area almost the size of South America could be degraded within that same period. It's precisely because the stakes are so high that Brazil attaches great importance to the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group of the Future Strategic Framework. Over three in-person sessions and under considerable time constraints, the group delivered a substantive report. We regret that this report could not be fully debated by parties at the session. Its value, however, remains. The group agreed on a shared vision for the post-2030 framework and identified the key elements that such framework should contain. That is a solid foundation. and one that reflects the priorities and perspectives of all regions. At the same time, we recognize that much remains to be done. The elements already identified must now be given more concrete, detailed and operational form, with clear recommendations, sound indicators and a credible approach to the means of implementation. The work cannot be improvised. It requires the continuation of the working group's mandate along the lines defined by decision four of COP16 in Riyadh so that the process keep its transparency, its inclusiveness, and its foundation in consensus. The calendar leaves us little room. The current strategic framework runs only until 2030, and the volume of work still required to shape its successor is considerable. Brazil therefore calls on delegations to support a pragmatic compromise solution that allows the working group to continue its work without interruption. Losing momentum would set back an effort that this convention and the people who depend on healthy land cannot afford to postpone. Mr. co-facilitator, Brazil wishes to be clear on the further point. This conference is convened to address the matters that fall within the mandate of this convention, namely desertification, land degradation, and drought, and those matters alone. This is where our focus should remain. Brazil does not support bringing into this forum questions that are foreign to this convention, and we call against the politicization of environmental issues. Land degradation and drought affect us all with increasing severity and they draw no distinction among nations. Our shared responsibility is to respond to them together and we should not allow considerations extraneous to the common purpose to divert or delay our response. Finally, Brazil remains fully committed to an ambitious and effective post-2030 strategic framework and stands ready to work constructively with all parties to that end. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil and I give now the floor to Russian Federation.

Distinguished President, distinguished colleagues, at the outset I would like to thank the Mongolian presidency and all of the parties for their positive contribution to the informal discussions. and in seeking a compromise. The draft decision proposed by the President has allowed us to move forward on item 3 of this agenda of COP17 and I would like to emphasise that reaching consensus was possible thanks to Russia's extreme flexibility and consistent efforts to seek the most acceptable solution for all. The Russian delegation throughout the process demonstrated constructive approaches and sought solutions to resolve the situation, seeking to ensure the success of this session and demonstrating its respect for the Mongolian presidency and the secretariat. Russia emphasizes its commitment to progress in the intergovernmental working group on the future strategy of the Convention and regards its effective functioning as an important element in having a clear concept of the further direction of international cooperation to combat desertification, the destructive actions within the Russian group. Where they happen, we reserve the right to respond accordingly. We also emphasize our future intention to ensure progress in combating desertification and land degradation. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation. I see no further requests. Kazakhstan? You requested the floor before. Okay. I see no further requests to speak. The committee has thus concluded its consideration of item three. Dissanguished delegates, I now invite the committee to resume its consideration of item five entitled policy frameworks and thematic issues in order to take action on the draft decision entitled follow up on policy frameworks and thematic issues droughts. contained in document ICCD/COP17/L15. My article that the committee wishes to agree to recommend this draft decision to the Conference of the Parties for its adoption. I hear no objection, it's so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the draft decision? I give the floor now to Montenegro.

Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe, I would like to address an issue for particular and growing importance to our region, drought. Our region includes countries with very diverse climatic, ecological and socioeconomic conditions. Many of our countries have not traditionally been considered highly drought prone, yet increasingly frequent and severe drought episodes are affecting agriculture, water resources, ecosystems, rural livelihoods and economies across Central and Eastern Europe. This experience reinforces a message the Tau region has raised for many years. Drought is a global challenge and should be addressed as such. It does not stop at national borders, nor is it confined to traditionally dry regions. Increasing drought impacts across Europe and other parts of the world demonstrate that preparedness and resilience are challenges for all countries. These trends are already visible across our region. For example, the declining water level of the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland water body, with its accelerating pace, has far-reaching environmental, economic, and social consequences, including contributing to desertification across the region, showing firsthand that the drought is indeed becoming a harsh reality of the region. While in Serbia, around 70% of 10.45 billion euros in weather and climate related losses between 2000 and 2024 was linked to drought and extreme temperatures, including at least 1 billion euros in losses in summer 2024 alone. We recognize the important progress achieved under the convention, including the development of national drought plans, monitoring and early warning tools, knowledge platforms and regional cooperation mechanisms. However, planning alone is not sufficient. The priority now must be implementation. National drought plans need to be translated into concrete actions, investment strategies and projects. Countries need stronger institutional and technical capacities, functioning monitoring and early warning systems, Improved for many countries in our region, particularly those with limited institutional and financial capacities, this remained a significant constraint. Regional cooperation is equally important. Meteorological, agricultural and hydrological drought do not respect borders. Shared water resources, monitoring networks, scientific knowledge and experience provide strong reasons to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation as an operational part of drought resilience. Annex V therefore believes that a meaningful outcome on drought is in high demand and recognise the enormous work done to address drought under the UNCCD. We believe it will be a strong basement for the COP18 to make strong commitments to enhance drought resilience and ensure well-being of our communities. We recognize the different views among parties regarding the eventual form of the global drought arrangement, as well as the realities of the current international context. At the same time, these differences should be solved on the basis of consensus. Our region is therefore ready to explore a voluntary country-driven approach that can initiate stronger global cooperation on drought, while allowing that cooperation to evolve over time. The experience of land degradation neutrality demonstrates that voluntary national objectives and targets can create political momentum, improve national coordination, mobilize investment, and progressively strengthen implementation. A similar approach could be explored for drought resilience. Parties could, according to their national circumstances and capacities, voluntarily establish drought resilience objectives, targets or milestones, supported by national drought plans, monitoring and early warning systems, regional cooperation, science, capacity building and access to finance. Such an approach would make maximum use of existing UNCCD institutions, mechanisms and tools, avoid unnecessary additional reporting burdens, and focus on measurable progress and implementation on the ground. Importantly, taking practical action now does not need to prejudge the future. Progress could be reviewed at a future session of the Conference of the Parties, allowing parties to consider whether further measures, institutional arrangements, or strengthened forms of international cooperation are required. We believe that this provides a possible bridge between urgency and political reality. Annex V stands ready for further constructive cooperation with all parties towards a future meaningful decision within the UNCCD that will strengthen proactive drought management and leave the door open for greater ambition in the future. Our objective should be clear, move from plans to implementation. from reaction to preparedness and from fragmented national responses to stronger cooperation on a challenge that is truly global. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of Montenegro and now I give the floor to Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair. Brazil considers this issue of particular importance given the scale intensity of the challenge we face. Brazil is home to the most densely populated semi-arid region in the world and experience increasingly pronounced process of desertification compounded by more frequent and severe droughts in the context of global warming and climate change. The intensification of droughts expected to be further exacerbated in 2026 by the effects of the El Nino phenomenon is affecting several Latin American countries. with impacts ranging from increased wildfires and reduced hydropower generation to disruption in river navigation and significant production loss, particularly in agriculture. We'd like to thank the Mongolian presidency for its tireless efforts to build consensus on this important issue. We call on Paris to redouble our efforts to read difference and strengthen implementation of the convention on drought. so we can deliver concrete and effective response to this growing challenge in COP18. Thank you, Co-Chair.

I thank the representative of Brazil. I see no more requests for the floor, so we will move forwards. Distinguished delegates, I now invite the Committee to resume its consideration of item 7, entitled program and budget for the B 2027 2028 in order to take action on a draft decision entitled applied financial rules of the conference of the parties its subsidiary bodies and the convention secretariats contained in document iccd/cop17/l16 may I take that the committee wishes to agree to recommend this draft decision to the Conference of the Parties for its adoption? I hear no objection. It's so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make a statement in relation to the draft decision? I see no requests for the floor. So the Committee has thus concluded its consideration of item 7. Thank you. The Sandwich delegates and now invite the committee to resume its consideration of item 8C program of works for the 18th session of the conference of the parties in order to take action on one draft decision. I would like to affirm the committee that the secretariat has received one offer by Egypt to host the 18th session of the conference of parties In that regard, I invite the committee to turn to the second draft decision entitled dates and venue for the 18th session of the conference of parties and contained in documents ICCD/COP17/L2. May I take it that the committee wishes to agree to recommend the draft decision contained in document ICCD/COP17/L2 to the Conference of the Parties for its adoption. I hear no objection, it's so decided. Are there any requests for the floor? I see no request. Cameroon.

Thank you so much. Thank you, sir, for affording us the floor. Cameroon would like to warmly commend the Republic of Egypt for being named as the next host for the COP. Cameroon would like to reiterate its full support to Egypt in the convening of a successful COP. At the end of that, we certainly hope that decisions stronger decisions will be made in the effective implementation and efficient implementation of the Convention.

Thank you.

I thank you, Chair, in the name of the Arab Group, would like to express all of our support to Egypt as it hosts COP18, which we look forward to as a continuation of the achievements of COP17 and COP16, and we hope that it's going to achieve outcomes that do fulfill the ambitions of the parties.

Kenya, you have the floor. I think there is some issue with the microphone. While waiting, I will give the floor now to Brazil and I will be back to you, Kenya. Brazil, you have the floor.

Thank you, co-chair. Just to align ourselves congratulating Egypt for the election and saying that we are ready to engage with them for a successful COP and wish all the best. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil and I give the floor now to Kenya. It's working now, go ahead please.

Thank you. Kenya also congratulates Egypt for being nominated. We are in full support of this and we also wish them a successful COP.

I thank the representative of Kenya. I give the floor now to European Union.

Thank you, Chair. The European Union would like to add our congratulations to Egypt for acting as host of COP18.

And we look very much forward to receiving the hospitality of the government and people of Egypt at the next COP, and we are sure we'll be in safe hands as they guide us to a successful set of outcomes. Thank you.

I thank the representative of European Union. I give the floor now to Ecuador. Ecuador, you have the floor. So I -- hello. Yes, go ahead, please.

Ecuador commends Egypt for having been elected as the host country for COP18. We wish you great success in that important responsibility. We are certain that under your leadership, we will be able to continue to strengthen the collective efforts aimed at tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. We will also be able to move toward the full implementation of the convention. Much obliged.

I thank the representative of Ecuador. I give now the floor to Azerbaijan.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

We also would like to congratulate Egypt for being elected as the host of the next COP. And in the same line as the previous speakers, we would like to express our full support and express that we are ready to work with Egypt for a successful COP18. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Azerbaijan. I give the floor now to Algeria.

Thank you, Mr. President. Algeria warmly congratulates the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt for being designated as host of the 18th session of the Conference of Parties. Algeria pledges its full support and constructive engagement to Egypt in the preparation and conduct of COP18. Algeria is confident that the Egyptian presidency will steer the convention toward an ambitious action-oriented outcome. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Algeria. I give the floor now to Paraguay. Gracias.

Thank you, Chairman. Paraguay, on behalf of the GRULAC presidency, also wish to convey its congratulations to Egypt for hosting the next COP, COP18. We are willing to work together on that. Our people can thus work hand in hand to ensure that that COP can be as successful as possible, joining efforts and attaining that which we all hope. Thank you very much.

Thank you, representative of Paraguay. I give the floor now to Morocco.

Thank you, Chair. We are very pleased that the brotherly nation of Egypt is going to be the host of COP18. The Kingdom of Morocco congratulates the Republic of Egypt and we wish it every success in preparing for this important international milestone which will by definition be another opportunity to promote international African and Arab efforts in combating desertification, land degradation and drought and the Kingdom of Morocco is willing and ready to continue collaborating with Egypt and all parties in order to ensure that our COPs are success and obtain concrete outcomes to the benefit of all towards a sustainable management of natural resources and lands. Thank you.

Thank you, Chairman. Burundi would also like to join others in commanding Egypt for It's a sterling election to lead COP18. Burundi wishes full success in the preparatory process and hoping that COP18 will be crowned with success in moving ahead with this convention. Thank you.

I give the floor now to Russian Federation.

Thank you, President. The Russian Federation also congratulates Egypt on its election as the president. of the 18th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD, we place great hope in the fact that under the wise leadership of our Egyptian friends, we will be able to achieve effective balanced work and as a result obtain significant progress in overcoming the common problems that we face. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation and I give now the floor to Uzbekistan.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair. We also like to congratulate Egypt on hosting COP18 and wish every success in its preparations. We sincerely hope that COP18 will together strengthen global and regional cooperation and help us achieve tangible results in combating desertification, drought and send us the dust storms while promoting land restoration and building resilience communities. Uzbekistan look forward to working together toward a more sustainable and resilient future for all. Thank you.

I take the representative of Uzbekistan and they give the floor now to Argentina.

Gracias, Senor Presidente.

Thank you, Chair. We would like to join in offering our warm Congratulations to Egypt. We are certain that Egypt will be a new bridge towards moving ahead with this convention. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Argentina. I give the floor now to Chile.

Thank you, Chairman.

Congratulations to Egypt on its selection as host of UNCCD COP18. We look forward to continuing our close and constructive cooperation in the lead up to the conference. Chile remains committed to working with Egypt to advance practical solutions on drought, land degradation and resilience. You can count on Chile's active engagement and support throughout this process. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Chile and I give the floor now to Syrian Arab Republic.

Thank you, Chair. We'd like to congratulate Egypt on its election as host of COP18 under the UNCCD. Such a selection is a reflection of the important and prominent role and position of Egypt in the implementation of the UNCCD and its exceptional ability in the conduct of international conversations and decision-making. We wish our dear Egypt more prosperity and progress and continued success in hosting such global events as we've seen with the previous UNFCCC COP. Thank you.

Syrian Arab Republic and I give the floor now to Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Chair. Zimbabwe joins the previous speakers in congratulating Egypt on its election as the president and host of COP18. To us, this is an African COP and we are ready to work together to make this upcoming COP a resounding success. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Zimbabwe and I give the floor now to Philippines.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Philippines warmly congratulates and extend our sincere appreciation to Egypt on its selection as host of COP18 and for undertaking this important responsibility and express our full support as it prepares for the next session of the Conference of the Parties. We look forward to working closely with Egypt and all parties towards a successful and meaningful COP18. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of Philippines and I give now the floor to Yemen.

In Yemen, we'd like to associate with all other Arab nations that have congratulated Egypt for hosting COP18. This step reflects the leadership role of Egypt in climate and environmental issues, and we reiterate our commitment to collective action in combating desertification and drought. We have full trust in the Egyptian leadership in promoting regional and international cooperation and presenting us with a comprehensive platform for achieving concrete results and solutions in such ways to serve humanity at large. Thank you.

Thank the representative of Yemen and they give the floor now to Libya.

Thank you, President.

We wish to express pride in the brotherly country of Egypt, which has been selected to preside over COP18. The international community is placing its trust in Egypt, which plays a key role in the African region and the Arab world in the fight against drought. food insecurity and water resource management. We support Egypt as it assumes this important function and trust that this conference will achieve agreements and strategies that will allow us to have a better, greener future for the coming generations. Thank you.

Thank you, President. On behalf of the Dominican Republic, we extend our warmest congratulations to Egypt on hosting the forthcoming COP18 of the UNCCD. We welcome Egypt's commitment to this process and trust that under its leadership and hospitality we will have a constructive working space for dialogue, cooperation and for seeking solutions to the challenges that we all face in land degradation, desertification and drought. We hope that the forthcoming COP18 will be extremely successful and under Egypt's leadership and with the help of all parties can set ambitious, balanced goals which are needed in order effectively to address these challenges. We trust that this conference will make it possible to strengthen collective action, mobilize implementation tools, and lead to tangible results for our peoples and our ecosystems. We wish every success to Egypt and all parties. in the forthcoming COP18. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Dominican Republic and I give the floor now to Australia.

Thank you. Congratulations to Egypt as the new COP18 president. We look forward to the leadership, experience and expertise on matters relating to land degradation, desertification and drought, as well as climate and biodiversity that you will bring to your presidency. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Australia and I give the floor now to Tajikistan.

Thank you, President. Tajikistan also congratulates Egypt on the future COP18 and hope that this will be an important cooperation, an important contribution to international cooperation on combating desertification, drought and land degradation. Egypt has considerable experience in this Tajikistan stands ready to cooperate in the preparation for the future COP18. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tajikistan and I give the floor now to Peru.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Peru warmly congratulates Egypt on its election as host of COP28. We look forward to working under its leadership towards a successful COP and to build the consensus needed to advance on our common objectives.

Thank you. I thank the representative of Peru, and I give the floor now to Burkina Faso. Thank you. Burkina Faso.

Congratulates Egypt on its selection to preside over COP18, and we wish it every success in making progress on the priorities and decisions of the convention. We reiterate our own commitment to supporting Egypt in future negotiations at COP18. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Burkina Faso, and now I give the floor to the last speaker on my list, which is Costa Rica.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Costa Rica congratulates the government of Egypt on its election. As hosts and presidents of COP18, we are confident that the conference will achieve its stated goals and under the UNCC, the government of Egypt may count on the full support of Costa Rica in ensuring that the results are equal to the challenges that all countries are facing, which require global collective solutions. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Costa Rica and I see other requests of the floor. For the floor, I give the floor to Lebanon.

Thank you, President. Lebanon aligns with those states which have congratulated Egypt being elected as host of COP18. We trust that this conference will be successful in applying decisions and attaining practical results. Thank you.

Now to the Republic of Moldova.

We warmly congratulate Egypt for this important achievement. and wish you every success in preparing and hosting COP18. We are confident that Egypt will make an important contribution to strengthening international cooperation and climate action and environmental protection. Congratulations to Egypt and best wishes for a successful COP18. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Republic of Moldova and I give the floor now to Egypt.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to all parties for the trust reflected in the decision confirming Egypt as a host of COP18. We received this responsibility with humility and a deep commitment to contributing constructively to the collective objectives of the convention. And we reiterate that we stand ready to work with all parties to make COP18 a successful COP towards strengthened implementation of the conventions objectives and mandate combating desertification land degradation and drought I thank you Mr.

Chair I thank the representative of Egypt so I see no further requests for the floor so we can move forward the same which delegates their colleagues I will present a report of the committee on the draft decision shortly to the confidence of the parties for its consideration and action the committee will meet again this afternoon at a time to be announced in this plenary hall to consider the remaining draft proposals. Contact group two on other matters will reconvene 15 minutes after closure of the COP plenary meeting which will take place immediately after adjournments of this committee. Please verify time and possible changes on the conference websites and on CCD application. I kindly ask you to remain seated while the podium setup is changed for the copinary meeting. The meeting is adjourned. I cannot come back.