Mongolia hosts UN desertification summit as drought crisis deepens

Mongolia has hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.” The summit took place in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August, bringing together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union. The gathering focuses on addressing land degradation, enhancing resilience against drought, and securing financial support for nations most impacted by desertification. As the country faces worsening drought conditions, the conference aims to translate commitments into actionable strategies. The summit opened with a ceremony highlighting Mongolian culture, including a 11-minute performance featuring traditional dances, the long song Erkhem tör, and khoomei, a unique form of throat singing. A ceremonial khadag, a blue scarf symbolizing hospitality and respect, was presented during the event. These cultural elements underscored the importance of preserving indigenous heritage amid environmental challenges. Discussions at the opening emphasized the urgency of translating restoration pledges into tangible outcomes, with officials noting that current efforts lack sufficient speed and scale. As the conference progressed, tensions emerged over the inclusion of Indigenous voices in decision-making processes. On 20 August, approximately 50 Indigenous representatives and civil society activists staged a protest in Ulaanbaatar, demanding greater recognition of Indigenous peoples' rights and a more central role in shaping policies related to land degradation, drought, and desertification. Protesters called for increased representation of Indigenous communities, pastoralists, women, and youth within the formal proceedings, arguing that their perspectives had been marginalized to side events. They also advocated for the integration of traditional knowledge into scientific frameworks, emphasizing its relevance to sustainable land management. The demonstrators stressed that a dedicated Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities Caucus, while valuable, lacked real influence over core policy decisions. Their demands reflect broader global concerns about the exclusion of local populations from climate-related governance structures. Activists pointed to the increasing vulnerability of communities reliant on land and grazing areas, warning that without inclusive approaches, efforts to combat desertification will remain incomplete. French geographer Jean-Daniel Cesaro, speaking to Le Monde, noted that the severe summer drought in France highlights the growing vulnerability of even developed nations to desertification. He suggested that France should enhance its collaboration with other countries to share expertise and improve its understanding of the issue. His comments align with the broader context of the summit, which seeks to address the alarming statistic that 40% of the world's land area, including a quarter of arable land, is already degraded. The conference continues through 28 August, with ongoing discussions likely to focus on funding mechanisms, policy implementation, and community engagement. As the meeting concludes, the success of COP17 will depend on whether delegates can move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver concrete measures to restore degraded lands and support vulnerable populations. The outcome of these deliberations will shape future international efforts to combat desertification and build resilience in regions facing escalating environmental pressures.