(7th Meeting) Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention - UNCCD COP17

emphasize 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 Futures 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 three of this agenda of COP17, and I would like to emphasize 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 emphasized 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. Sandwich 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 that our 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 seven, 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/cop 17/ 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 efforts, 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 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 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 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 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.

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, we 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 election 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 take the representative of Costa Rica and the 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. Distinguished delegates, dear 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 coplinary meeting. The meeting is adjourned. I cannot come back.

Good morning. I call to order the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification at its 17th session. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I invite the Conference to resume its consideration of agenda item 1 entitled Organizational matters, sub-item d entitled Credentials of delegations. In accordance with rules 19 and 20 of the rules of procedure, the COP Bureau examined the credentials of representatives, alternate representatives and advisers and approved them. The final report of the Bureau to the Conference is contained in document ICCD/COP17/13 entitled Credentials of Delegations, Report of the Bureau to the Conference of the Parties. The Bureau agreed to submit document ICCD/COP17/13 and the related draft decision ICCD/COP17/13/DEC.1 17 slash L one for consideration by the conference credentials received after the reduction of the report will be reflected in the report of COP 17. May I take that conference wishes to approve the report and adopt the draft decision content in document ICCD slash COP 17 slash L one. I hear no objection. It is so decided. The Conference has thus concluded its consideration of item 1. I invite the Conference to resume its consideration of agenda item 1 entitled Organization of work, including the sessions of the subsidiary bodies. As you may recall, at its first meeting, the Conference of Parties established the Committee of the Whole and allocated agenda that are on the COP agenda to the Committee of the Whole for its consideration. I would now like to give the floor to Mr. Khalid Cherki of Morocco, Chair of the Committee on the Whole, to report to the conference on the work of the COW and the draft proposals that COW recommends to the conference.

Madam President, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to present to the 17th session of the conference of parties, a first summary of the outcomes of deliberation of the committee of the whole. Madam President, distinguished delegates, I am pleased to inform you that the committee agreed to forward the following draft decision to the conference for its sixth meeting. Allow me to provide the conference with an overview on these draft decisions. Under item three entitled final reports of the intergovernmental working group on the future strategic framework the convention the committee agreed to recommend to the conference one draft decision contained in document ICCD slash COP17 slash L7 under item five entitled policy frameworks and thematic issues the committee agreed to recommend to the conference a draft decision on routes contained in document ICCD slash COP17 slash L15 under item seven entitled programme and budgets of the B 2027 2028 the committee agreed to recommend to the conference one draft decision continued in documents iccd/cop17/l16 under item 8C entitled programme of work of the 18th session of the conference of the parties the committee agreed to recommend to the conference one draft decision contained in document ICCD slash COP17 slash L2. I hereby submit the draft decisions to the Conference of Parties at its 17th session for adoption. I will present a second summary with the remaining proposal of the Committee of the Whole to the Conference of Parties this afternoon. Finally, I would like to thank all delegations for their flexibility and spirit of compromise in the work of the CAU. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the Chair of the Committee of the Whole. I also thank all parties for the constructive engagement and flexibility in advancing the work of the Committee of the Whole. May I take that the Conference wishes to adopt the following draft proposals, ICCD/COP17/L.2, L7, L15, and L16 as recommended by the CAU. I hear no objection. It is so decided. We have thus concluded action on these recommendations of the Committee of the Whole. We will consider further recommendations by the CAU this afternoon. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements? I give the floor to Egypt.

Thank you, Madam Chair, UNCCD Secretariat, distinguished delegates. The delegation of Egypt wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all parties for the trust and confidence reflected in the decision confirming Egypt as a host of COP18. Egypt receives this responsibility with humility and deep commitment to contributing constructively to the collective objectives of the convention. UNCCD occupies a distinctive and vital place within the multilateral environmental architecture. Its mandate to address desertification, land degradation, and drought remains of particular relevance, especially for Africa and other affected regions. Egypt looks forward to building on the important outcomes of Riyadh COP16, Ulaanbaatar COP17, and all the previous COPs, and working collectively with all parties to further advance the global response to desertification, land degradation, and drought. In this regard, Egypt expresses its high appreciation for the valuable contribution of the Saudi presidency to COP16, in raising political attention to desertification and drought and elevating the profile of UNCCD COPs within the broader multilateral environmental agenda. Egypt also commends the Mongolian presidency for the open, constructive, and inclusive process it has led in Ulaanbaatar, which has further advanced this momentum and provided a strong foundation for continued collective action by all parties. We hope with your collaboration to continue this successful journey. Madam Chair, desertification, land degradation, and drought are increasingly recognized as development challenges with far-reaching implications for soil productivity, water availability, food systems, biodiversity, livelihoods, and community resilience. Drought in particular remains a serious and growing concern for many developing countries. Its impacts compounded by climate change extends beyond environmental considerations to food and water security, poverty eradication, social stability, and economic development. For many countries, especially in Africa and other dry land regions, preparedness and response capacities continue to require strengthened support, including through finance, technology, capacity building, and infrastructure. Egypt approaches the responsibility of hosting COP18 guided by the principles of inclusiveness, transparency and consensus. We believe that COP18 can provide a valuable opportunity to reinforce multilateral cooperation, deepen partnerships and support the effective implementation of commitments under the Convention. Building on the momentum advanced here, COP 17, COP 18 can help provide renewed impetus for implementation, including through improved access to finance, technology transfer, capacity building, knowledge sharing and strengthened international cooperation. Madam President, our invitation is therefore to continue working together in a spirit of partnership and solidarity. to strengthen multilateralism, support implementation, advance resilience and restoration, and contribute to sustainable development. Egypt stands ready to work with all parties towards a COP18 that reflects their priorities and contributes meaningfully to the objectives of the Convention. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Mongolia for the excellent organization of this session and for the great hospitality. We also express our sincere appreciation to UNCCD for its dedicated service, professionalism, continued support to parties and presidencies. As Egypt looks ahead to hosting COP18, we are confident that we will continue to benefit from the wise Mongolian leadership and the Secretariat's valued cooperation and technical expertise in preparing for a successful and inclusive session. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I see no further requests. The conference has thus concluded its consideration of items three and seven. Distinguished delegates, I wish to note that Mongolia as the host country and myself as the president of UNCCD COP17, has put the best efforts in finding the most acceptable solution to emerged issues, including the agenda items three and five. We are encouraged by the progress made towards these issues with adoption of the decision on the final report of the intergovernmental working group on the future strategic framework of the convention, as well as decision on drought. On behalf of the government of Mongolia, the presidency of COP17 would like to express deep gratitude to all governments and parties who have shown the flexibility and compromise in order to reach consensus on these issues. I'm confident that the parties to the convention remain engaged with each other in the spirit of solidarity, multilateralism, up until the conclusion of this 17th session. session of COP. Under this agenda item, agenda item 1F, the conference also has therefore a number of other proposals. I invite the conference to consider draft decision entitled Declaration of the Mayors Forum, contained in the document ICCD/COP17/L4. May I take that conference wishes to adopt draft decision L4? I hear no objection, it's so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. I now invite the conference to consider the draft decision entitled, Open dialogue sessions with civil society organizations attending the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties contained in the document ICCD/COP17/L5. I would like now to give the floor to the representative of civil society.

Dear delegates, civil society organizations reaffirm our commitment to healthy land as the foundation of food security, resilience, dignity, peace, and sustainable development. At COP17, humanity faces converging crisis of land degradation, desertification, drought, biodiversity loss, climate instability, conflict, and inequality. that disproportionately impact women, youth, indigenous peoples, pastoralists, and local communities. This group demonstrate crucial leadership and stewardship in restoring landscapes. Their knowledge is indispensable as it was demonstrated during the two open dialogue sessions that were organized by the CSO panel. The first open dialogue session was on rangelands pastoralism and financing healthy landscape, while the second on drought resilient territories and water also was indicating the good work that the CSOs are doing. Both dialogues were well received by the parties who confirmed their support towards the CSO work. Participation is what we call for on inclusion of civil society, indigenous peoples, local communities, women, youth and pastoralists as observers in negotiations, implementation, monitoring and reporting as recognized rights holders. We also call for direct financing, accessible sustained funding for locally led land restoration and drought resilience initiative. land degradation neutrality, stronger implementation through inclusive national partnerships, ecosystem investments, funding for climate mitigation and adaptation, agroecology, agroforestry, water management and soil health across stable and conflict affected regions, grassroots capacity building that is empowerment to extending directly to community led actors, and inclusive science policy integration, reporting mechanisms that combine scientific evidence with traditional and local knowledge. We also call for people-centered post-2030 strategy, bottom-up governance driven by rights holders, anticipatory drought resilience, shifting from reactive management to proactive locally informed actions, women's leadership, full participation of women, including indigenous and pastoralist women in land governance, equitable land tenure that is secure land access and rights for women, vulnerable groups and local populations as a foundation for justice. And we know that solutions already exist in communities worldwide. The challenge is ensuring political will, financing solutions, and accountability match the urgency of the crisis. We call for the COP17 to be remembered for protecting saving space, honouring traditional knowledge, and renewing our commitment to healthy land. History will judge us by the landscape restored and communities empowered. The land and its people cannot wait. The time is now for transformative action and we are here to implement it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of civil society. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt draft decision entitled open dialogue sessions with civil society organizations attending the 17th session of the conference of the parties contained in the document ICCD slash COP 17 slash L5. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. I invite the conference to consider the draft decision entitled Declaration of the Youth Forum, contained in document ICCD/COP17/L8. I would now like to give the floor to a youth representative.

Thank you very much. Dear delegates, I'm speaking on behalf of the UNCCD Youth Caucus. We young people from communities and region across the world come to COP17 with a shared message. The future of our land is the future of our generation. The following core messages reflect a direct call from young people worldwide to the delegates, ministers and leaders gathered at COP17. First, Institutionalize youth participation. Ensure young people are formally involved throughout national UNCCD processes, from policy design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, including national action programs and land degradation neutrality strategies. Two, fully implement the youth engagement strategy. Move the youth engagement strategy from a global framework to practical national and regional action through clear implementation guidance, sharing of good practices and integration into relevant policies and programmes. Direct resources to frontline youth. Provide accessible non-debt funding such as dedicated grants and small grants alongside technical support, mentorship and capacity building. Funding should minimize bureaucracy and be accessible to youth-led and local-led organizations. Four, recognize land as a living system. Treat land as interconnected with food, water, biodiversity, health, livelihoods, culture and peace. Prioritize holistic landscape management, regenerative agriculture, and soil health over short-term extraction. Five, protect pastoralism and local knowledge. Recognize pastoralism, rangeland stewardship, and indigenous and local land practices as effective restoration approaches. Measure restoration by genuine ecosystem recovery rather than simplistic indicators such as tree planting numbers. Six, build stronger government youth partnerships. Treat youth organizations as implementation partners by creating regular dialogue and collaboration across governments, civil society, academia, and private sector. Strengthen pathways for young people to access knowledge, education, and careers in land restoration and sustainable land management. 7. Expand capacity building and intergenerational learning. Equip young people with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to participate meaningfully in UNCCD processes and turn commitments into action, including through training on negotiations, policies, sustainable land management and implementation. 8. Measure and strengthen accountability for youth engagements. Make youth participation measurable through voluntary reporting and indicators that assess both its quantity and quality. Track whether youth people, young people actually influence decisions, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, not simply whether they attend meetings. And last, nine, strengthen youth coordination within the UNCCD Secretariat. Consider establishing a dedicated youth focal point within the Secretariat to improve communication between the Secretariat, parties and youth organization. Expand access to opportunities and information and support the implementation of the youth engagement strategy. Thank you.

I thank the youth representative. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt draft decision L8? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the draft decision? I invite Cook Islands.

Thank you, Madam President, in a very short intervention to support the draft decision. Cook Islands is a delegation of youth, so we welcome the report and the decision. Thank you.

Thank you. I see no further requests for the floor. I invite the conference to consider draft decision entitled Declaration of Indigenous Peoples contained in document ICCD/COP17/L9. I would like now to give the floor to a representative of Indigenous Peoples.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished delegates. We Indigenous peoples from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world have come to COP17 as the custodians, guardians and knowledge holders of the lands and territories that this convention seeks to protect and restore. But we must begin by expressing our deep disappointment that the agenda of this COP has removed the dedicated space for Indigenous peoples. the very peoples who have protected and sustained these lands and ecosystems for generations. We cannot restore the land while removing the voices of those who care for it. At COP16 in Riyadh, we celebrated together the adoption of decision 5/COP.16, establishing the Indigenous Peoples Caucus within the UNCCD. That was a major step forward. We call on you to uphold your commitments as we are upholding ours and we thank those who stand beside us. During People's Day, Indigenous peoples came together at the high-level special event, From Sacred Lands to Shepherding the Future, where we shared our realities, knowledge, solutions and adopted our Indigenous Peoples' Declaration. We call on parties to recognize this declaration and ensure that its priorities are reflected in the work and outcomes of this convention. This must not remain a statement from indigenous people. It must become a commitment followed by implementation. Our message is simple. There can be no meaningful land restoration without respect for the rights of the peoples who care for the land. We call on parties to recognize our collective land and territorial rights, customary governance, self-determination, and free, prior, and informed consent. We also call for science not to replace Indigenous peoples' knowledge, however, to stand alongside us. We remind parties that Indigenous pastoralism and the mobilities must be protected, including Indigenous women and youth. Finally, we call for direct, flexible and equitable and accessible finance to reach indigenous peoples and indigenous led organizations without unnecessary barriers or intermediaries. COP16 opened the door. COP17 must walk through it. And we stand ready to work together as partners towards COP18 to ensure that this is not only about creating a space for us to speak, it is about ensuring that we have a place where decisions are made about us and our territories. So today, we call on parties to move from recognition to implementation, from promises to action, from sacred lands to shepherding the future. We do not come only with demands, we come with solutions, for our lands, our territories, our knowledge and our future. Thank you.

I thank the representative of indigenous peoples. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt draft decision L9? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the draft declaration? I see no requests. I now invite the Conference to consider the draft decision entitled Declaration of the Local Communities, contained in document ICCD/COP17/L10. I would like to give the floor to a representative of local communities.

Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates, my name is Esin Jevet. Greetings from the newly self-constituted caucus for local communities under the UNCCD. Today at COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, we represent pastoralists, agro-pastoral, peasant, agro-ecological, forest-dependent, small-scale and artisanal fishing, Afro-descendant, mountain, nomadic herders, small-scale farmers, island and coastal communities, and other territorially rooted local communities, including women and youth, stand before you to deliver our founding declaration. Our founding declaration set out a two-tier engagement architecture, a protected planetary caucus for internal deliberation and a structured dialogue interface for engagement with parties, the CSO panel, the caucus panel, the caucus for indigenous people, the CST and the CRIC. Representation follows eight plus five model, a geographical axis of eight seat in each defined UN sub-region filled through each sub-region's own self-organized processes to reflect the socio-cultural and bio-cultural diversity genuinely prepared there engaging five parties representatives designated by the UN regional groups with a mandatory alternate for every seat. We already send this declaration to the Secretariat along with of all the foundational document, but we would like to share the principal messages. One, institutional status. Grant the caucus for local communities institutional status as a constitutive engagement body equal to the caucus for indigenous people, the gender caucus, and the youth caucus, not merely a facilitative mechanism. Two, representation model. Adopt the 8.5 model in full, including the mandatory alternate for every seat and the exclusively community validated selected of local communities, title holders, and alternate. Three, procedural safeguard. Adopt from our technical note a documented right for caucus focal point to circulate within writing text in contact groups as a rule requiring that any object of blocking a mandated civil society related agenda item be accompanied by a stated reason and a public deadline for resolution, safeguard drawn directly from the COP's own experience with unexplained unresolved objective. Four, sustain funding commit to adequate and sustain funding for the local communities caucus operation and effective participation through the UNCCD now and beyond COP17 five resolve item 8A conclude without further delay and through a public time bound process the consultation on agenda item 8A deferred since the opening plenary of August 17 and seeks some sensitive priorities across the rch land land tenure drought the strategic framework Rio convention synergies and the science policy interface our political statement asks that local communities be named explicitly as engagement Partners and that outstanding blockages and financing gaps affecting these decisions be resolved with the same transparent we ask for our own institutional recognition. To close, we ask the secretariat to record this summary and the three documents it accompanies in the report of the high-level event for the information of parties at this and future sessions of the Conference. We reaffirm our commitment to working in complementary with the caucus for indigenous people and all constituencies of the UNCCDs civil society architecture and we thank the presidency and the secretariat for the space extended to local community at COP17. We thank you.

I thank the representative of the local communities. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt the draft decision L10? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. I now invite the conference to consider the draft decision entitled High level parliamentarian forum at the 17th session of the conference of the parties contained in document ICCD COP17 ICCD slash COP17 slash L12. May I take that conference which started off draft decision L12. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. I now invite the conference to consider draft decision entitled report from the gender caucus contained in document ICCD/COP/17/L13. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt the draft decision L13? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. Thank you. I now invite the conference to turn to agenda item six entitled high level segment ministerial dialogues. In connection with this agenda item, the conference has before it a draft decision entitled high level segment contained in document ICCD/CONF/2019/1. 17/11. Before proceeding to take action on the draft decision entitled high level segment, I invite the conference to listen to the summaries of the ministerial dialogues. I invite the rapporteur to present the summaries of the three ministerial dialogues.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Ministerial dialogue innovative financial mechanisms for healthy land and drought resilience. This ministerial dialogue was officially opened and chaired by Mr. Togmid Dorjkhund, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, representing the COP17 presidency, highlighting the significant finance gap for addressing land degradation and desertification, and placing investment and finance at the heart of the COP17 deliberations. Keynote remarks were made by the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Ms. Yasemin ****. These opening remarks framed land not only as an environmental concern but as the economic infrastructure underpinning food, water, jobs, public revenue and stability. Because when land fails, the conditions are borne by the state treasury through increased subsidies, emergency relief, displacement and security deployments. The speakers called for repurposing of agricultural subsidies alongside incentives such as environmental taxes, payments for ecosystem services and debt instruments, for portfolios with sufficient skills underpinned by revenue models with multiple benefits, risk sharing and local currency financing and for the conversion of national drought plans into drought investment plans and the integration of land finance across the Rio conventions. The chair opened the next segment by announcing the launch of the rangelands flagship initiative as a key pillar of Mongolia's legacy as a COP17 president. The initiative seeks to mobilize resources for sustainable rangeland management and restoration and establish a country-led coalition of rangeland states. It also aims to create the Eurasian Center for the Climate Resilient Drylands as a regional hub for science, innovation, and investment. Mongolia committed to a sector-wide sustainable finance principles, a green taxonomy, and a target of 10% green lending by 2030. Other stakeholders including the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, and the European Union all announced new financial commitments in the support of the UNCCD related projects and programs spanning drought resilience, ecosystem based adaptation, food system resilience, and the restoration of dryland landscapes. Overall, the dialogue welcomed pledges totaling $1.3 billion, including the Rangeland Flagship Initiative portfolio of over 45 projects worth $1.2 billion. This was followed by a moderated discussion with ministerial representatives of Brazil, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the People's Republic of China, as well as high level participants from the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the World Economic Forum, and that explored why land remains outside mainstream budgets and portfolios despite a strong investment case. Participants noted that the binding constraints on the greater investment are often mandates, instruments, pipeline, or risk appetite. They underline that treating land as a capital asset requires making restoration bankable, improving revenue visibility, and providing policy certainty, stressing the need to reflect on how public and concessional finance can be most effectively deployed. Over 60 parties and 10 representatives of international organizations then delivered statements during the full day dialogue. Most speakers refer to the UNCCD financial needs assessment for the 139 country parties and over 350 national action plans, which estimates that 355 billion US dollars are required annually up to 2030 against the current investment of 77 billion, representing an annual gap of 278 billion. Set against an estimated 878 billion a year in losses from inaction, the investment case was presented as a one, eight to one return with potential benefits of 1.8 trillion US dollars a year. The cost of inaction was put at three times the cost of restoration. Many speakers noted that the significant contraction in the official development assistance in 2025 and that roughly half of the low-income countries are at risk of debt distress. There is consensus that the finance needed for sustainable land management cannot be delivered through grants alone. This discussion turned on how countries tax, spend, and borrow, whether public resources crowd in private capital rather than substitute for it. Many parties indicated that how they prioritize domestic fiscal measures in the form of incentives. public private blended finance and the repurposing of environmentally harmful subsidies. Several parties called for the simplified access to multilateral funds, shorter turnaround times for approval and greater coherence across the land, climate and biodiversity financing windows. They urge multilateral development banks to establish a distinct trackable, category for land, soil health, and drought resilience within the existing nature and climate finance taxonomies. This call was based on the principle that what is not measured is not allocated. There is a broad support for the innovative financing mechanisms, scaling guarantees, force loss capital, and index-based insurance. Others caution that the innovative finance must not become a means of transferring the responsibilities of states to private actors. Some parties stress the need to mobilize private sector investment alongside public finance, as well as the important role of capacity building, cooperation, and technology transfer for effective implementation of land and water management practices including affordable digital and satellite technologies. Several voiced the need for project preparation support to develop an investment ready pipeline and for a shift from small and fragmented projects to investable programs portfolios. They also cautioned against the widening access gaps for the least developed countries and those in fragile contexts. Sovereign instruments, debt for nature swaps, Nature performance bonds, sustainable link bonds, and country platforms were raised as the unfinished business of the severe commitment. Parties called for simple, flexible, predictable, and equitable access to finance for land-based initiatives, especially for developing and landlocked countries and small island developing states. Speakers urged that indigenous peoples, local communities, and pastoralists be engaged as economic partners rather than as beneficiaries. Ministerial dialogue drove resilience. The ministerial dialogue was opened and chaired by Ms. Sandagocher Sen, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, representing the COP17 presidency. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Nomtobaia Namisder, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, who announced the Water Land Nexus Initiative, a Mongolia-led global initiative with the step action agenda aimed at advancing integrated science-based and finance-ready solutions to interconnected water and land challenges. The initiative seeks to strengthen drought resilience through regional cooperation and improve soil moisture and landscape water retention. Miss Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, and Miss Yasmin Ford, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, delivered keynote remarks, underscoring the increasing frequency and severity of drought, its far-reaching impacts, and the high cost of inaction. They call for a shift from reactive crisis response to proactive drought resilience and stronger collective action, pointing at the International Drought Resilience Alliance, IDRA, in strengthening international cooperation and the International Drought Resilience Observatory, IDRO, in advancing drought data, science and knowledge, as well as the Drought Resilience Investment Facility, DRIF. and the Global Drought Resilience Partnership and the Global Environment Facility that are mobilizing finance and investment for drought resilience. They stressed the urgent need priority to operationalize these initiatives and translate available resources, knowledge and partnerships into concrete action at national and local levels. Professor James Flamigetti highlighted unprecedented continental drying, shrinking freshwater availability and the importance of accessible science and data to support effective decision making and policy responses. a ministerial panel brought together by representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, France, the United Arab Emirates, Arab Republic of Egypt, Luxembourg and Spain to strengthen the political will and to raise awareness of the drought as a global challenge that requires mobilizing finance at scale, accelerating ecosystem restoration and strengthening collaboration from the global to the local level, including transboundary cooperation. They also underscored the need to move towards proactive drought management, pointing to the effectiveness of the water use restrictions and increased efficiencies, while also stressing the importance of early warning, science and data, and integrated approaches, including nature-based solutions. These include preparedness-based approaches, focus on managing water scarcity through smart distribution and drip irrigation, supported by modern technologies and the development of new water resources. All stressed that whole of government and the whole of society approaches are essential to overcome silos. A technical panel with senior representatives from the African Union, United Habitat, ESCAP, UNESCO, the World Group discusses drought implications for global trade supply chains and economic resilience they emphasize the urgent need to shift from crisis financing to resilience investment that requires stronger cross-sectional collaboration with due consideration for urban rural linkages They also pointed out two examples of regional cooperation that combined satellite data, ground observations, and seasonal forecasting to strengthen early warning and anticipatory action. All agreed that water is a human right and drew attention to the disproportionate impacts of drought on women and girls, including increased workloads, loss of livelihoods, and reduced access to essential resources. Over 60 parties together with representatives of international organizations and civil society organizations delivered statements. Speakers echoed the priorities highlighted by the keynotes and the panelists while adding read national and regional perspectives, recognizing drought as a structural challenge rather than a temporary shortage of water, with cascading impacts on the ecosystems, people, livelihoods and economies, and the growing implications for security stability, including involuntary migration. They call for proactive drought management and for a placing of land water nexus at the heart of collective action. recognizing that protecting and restoring land is essential to safeguarding water resources. They highlighted the need to break down policy silos and strengthen integration across sectors and plans to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Many speakers acknowledged the availability of proven measures, including improved water use efficiency, strengthening groundwater management, expanding water use and recycling, modernizing irrigation, promoting rainwater harvesting and sustainable soil management, advancing climate resilient agriculture and improved crop and livestock varieties, and restoring ecosystems and landscapes, including through afforestation and nature-based solutions. Several interventions emphasize the need for stronger global, regional, and transboundary cooperation, including south-south cooperation to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, experience, technologies, and solutions. Most parties call for predictive and anticipatory financing and insurance, as well as innovative and blended finance mechanisms, particularly in vulnerable countries and communities. This includes the alignment of drought resilience with the development and climate finance, mobilizing private sector investment, strengthening partnership with financial institutions, and making financing directly accessible to people and communities that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of rural communities, including families and children, women, youth, farmers, indigenous peoples, and pastoralists. Ministerial dialogue restoration of rangelands and well-being of pastoralist communities. This dialogue was opened by the COP president and was chaired by Botswana and Uruguay with keynote remarks from Ms. Inga Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program and Ms. Beth Cole, direct deputy director general of the food and agricultural organization in the United Nations. They emphasize the importance of range lands for food security, regional economic development, and the livelihoods and cultures of pastoralists who steward these vast landscapes. While range lands provide 16% of global food production and 70% of feed for livestock, they host abundant biodiversity, sequester carbon and contribute to water cycles. Despite their significant environmental and socioeconomic value, rangelands are often overlooked and undervalued in national economies. Over 52 parties and 10 representatives of international organizations delivered statements. Virtually all agreed that rangelands must be recognized, respected, and restored. Healthy rangelands ensure that ecological integrity is maintained, which is critical to feed a growing population and to achieve land restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation targets. Many acknowledge that the growing pressures on rangelands and their communities from urban development, energy generation, mining, and high intensity agriculture, as well as the effects of rapid climate change, accelerating land degradation and recurring droughts. They recognize that the policies and regulations to govern rangelands must ensure healthy and productive rangelands for future generations. Rangelands must be explicitly reflected in national strategies and action plans for ecosystem conservation, land restoration, and sustainable grazing that promote well-managed ecological pastoralism as a sustainable economic development model. Several parties emphasize the importance of traditional knowledge systems and the empowerment of pastoralists local communities and the indigenous peoples to actively participate and take on leadership in the planning, management and governance of rangelands. Responsibility and inclusive, responsible and inclusive land governance such as ensuring tenure security and women's lands rights were identified as critical enabling factors. They also highlighted the importance of integrated land use planning that considers pastoral mobility and resource access as part of the adaptation strategy and to ensure social stability, dignity and peace. The mapping and monitoring of rangeland health and the use of digital technologies to assess potential degradation processes was highlighted as an important pillar in the sustainable rangeland management. While all speakers welcome the Rangelands Flagship Initiative and the Coalition of Rangeland States, many emphasize considerable investments required to conserve, sustainably manage, and restore rangelands. Some speakers called on the global community to provide financial resources to create an enabling environment through technical assistance, technology transfer, sharing of best practices. and to facilitate greater sustainable and inclusive investments in rangelands. Some pointed to sustainable value chains that can incentivize stewardship and significantly improve the livelihoods and well-being of pastoralist communities. This includes enhanced access to markets and inputs for pastoralists and agro-pastoralist communities to support their traditional livelihoods that are based on extensive livestock production systems. It was acknowledged that the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists has raised the profile of rangelands and their role in safeguarding planetary stability. Many parties emphasize the need to move from commitments to action by driving inclusive policy frameworks and governance systems, responsible investments, and building on rich heritage and vast traditional knowledge of pastoralists and the rangeland communities who have managed these dynamic landscapes for centuries. Thank you.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the conference wishes to adopt the draft decision entitled high level segment contained in document ICCD slash COP17 slash L11. I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegations wishing to make statements in relation to the decision? I see no requests. I invite the conference to turn to the agenda item nine, report of the session. I invite the rapporteur, Mr. Karoma Browne, to present the draft report of the 17th session of the COP as contained in document ICCD/COP17/L6. Mr. Browne, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam President, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to present to you the draft report of the 17th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. In this regard, the conference has before it documents ICCD COP17/6, which contains in chapters one and two, and account for the opening of the session and the organizational matters of the session respectively. Section C of chapter two contains information on the credentials of delegations as contained in document ICCD COP17/13. Chapter three contains a brief description of the two open dialogue sessions held with civil society on the 20th and 25th August 2026. Chapters four and five summarize the main outcomes of the high level ministerial dialogues held on the 24th, 25th and 26th August and the gender caucus held on 26th August. The decisions and resolutions adopted by the Conference of Parties will be contained in chapter six of the same document. The draft report will be completed with the guidance of the Bureau and the support of the secretariat to reflect also the proceedings of the last meeting of the Conference as per chapter seven. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Conference wishes to adopt the draft report at its seventeenth session contained in document ICCD/COP17/L6? and authorize the rapporteur to finalize the report after the session with the support of the secretariat. I hear no objection. It is so decided. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished delegate of Algeria.

Thank you, Madam President. Algeria has the honor to submit the following draft resolution by which the Conference of Parties expresses gratitude to the Government and people of Mongolia. The Conference of the Parties, having met in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August 2026 at the invitation of the Government of Mongolia, expresses its profound gratitude to the Government of Mongolia for having made it possible for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to be held in Ulaanbaatar and for the excellent facilities placed at its disposal, requests the Government to convey to the people of Mongolia the profound gratitude of the Parties to the Convention for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to the participants. I thank you.

I thank you for this expression of gratitude. May the Conference wish to adopt the draft resolution entitled Expression of gratitude to the Government and people of Mongolia, contained in document ICCD/COP17/L3. I hear no objection. It is so decided.

I.

Will duly convey this gratitude to my president and to my team, all other, those who worked on the conference. The conference has thus concluded its consideration of item nine. Distinguished delegates, the conference will meet again this afternoon at a time to be announced to consider the remaining draft proposals. The next meeting of the Committee on Science and Technology will take place immediately after the adjournment of this meeting. I hence kindly ask you to remain seated while the podium setup will be rearranged accordingly. The meeting is adjourned.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I call to order the fifth meeting of the 17th session of the Committee on Science and Technology. I now invite the committee to resume its consideration of sub-item A of agenda item one entitled adoption of the agenda and organisation of work. I wish to recall that at its first meeting on 18 August, The Committee adopted the provisional agenda for the seventeenth session contained in document ICCD/COP17/CST/1 with the exception of agenda item 2 as a whole. Consideration of the item and its sub-items were deferred on the understanding that they would remain under consultation and considered at a later stage. I understand that consultations have taken place on the inclusion of agenda item two entitled items resulting from the work program of the science policy interface for the biennium 2025 to 2026. Sub item two A entitled synthesis report of the activities of the science policy interface and sub item two B entitled synthesis report on the third edition of the global land outlook. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all delegations for the spirit of collaboration and flexibility shown. Are there any delegations wishing to take the floor? I give the floor to the Russian Federation.

Thank you, Chairperson. Given the progress made during the session on the issue of the intergovernmental working group on the future strategy of the Convention, and with legitimate concerns regarding the non-representation of the Russian Federation in the bodies of the Convention, yet in a spirit of goodwill and in the hope of attaining a balance and interaction, working in effective cooperation and emphasising the importance of progress in combating desertification, Within the agreements achieved, the Russian Federation withdraws its objections regarding consideration of item 2 of the agenda of the CST. I thank you.

I thank the Russian Federation. Accordingly, may I take it that the Committee wishes to include agenda item 2 and sub-items 2 and 2 in the agenda of its seventeenth session? I hear no objection. It is so decided. I propose that further discussions on these items be taken up in the CST contact group. The committee has thus concluded its consideration of sub-item A of agenda item one. The final plenary meeting of the committee will take place later today at a time to be determined. The seventh meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention will take place immediately after the adjournment of this meeting. For information on upcoming meetings, please consult the Daily Journal at the UNCCD website and the UNCCD app. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

Distinguished delegates, please take your seat. The session will start shortly. I call to order the seventh meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention. In keeping with the Committee's practice, there would be an opportunity to make statements after the proposal is considered. Due to the short turnaround, the Committee would proceed on the basis of the advance document available in English only. May I take it that the committee wishes to proceed on such a basis? I hear no objection. It is so decided. I thus now invite the Committee to resume its consideration of agenda item 5 entitled Procedural matters, programme of work for the 25th session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention in order to take action on draft decision ICCD/CRC/24/L.1. Draft decision L1 is entitled date and venue of the 25th session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention. May I take it that the Committee wishes to adopt draft decision L1 and recommend it to the Conference for adoption? I hear no objection. It is so decided. Are there any delegation wishing to take the floor? I see none. All right, so before adjourning the meeting, I would like to advise the participants that the final plenary meeting of the committee will take place this afternoon at a time to be announced. We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item five, and the meeting is already adjourned. Thank you.