As set out in a formal announcement, Mongolia is hosting the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar, from 17 to 28 August 2026. This event opens a year marked by three major United Nations conferences dedicated to the environment (a “triple COP”), with the biodiversity COP in Armenia followed by the climate COP in Turkey. The statement does not mention any specific dates for these events.
Background
Soils provide the largest land-based carbon sinks. They also capture almost three times as much carbon as all global vegetation. => Restoring degraded land could provide more than a third of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to keep global warming in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. COP17 builds on the progress made at COP16 on desertification in Riyadh in 2024, particularly regarding the preservation and restoration of farmland. During COP16, France declared itself a party affected by desertification.
Analysis
The statement does not address the geopolitical tensions impacting international negotiations. However, it highlights the increasing importance of the Convention to Combat Desertification in addressing global environmental challenges. The consequences of land degradation, drought, and sand and dust storms affect all regions in the world. They directly affect food security, access to water, economic development, the stability of countries and efforts to combat climate change, and contribute to the erosion of biodiversity.
France defends an integrated approach to the fight against desertification, based on synergies between the climate, biodiversity, sustainable development and food security. This approach is organized around several priorities: Advancing work on drought by supporting the drafting of tangible responses that strengthens the adaptation and resilience of territories; Promoting sustainable agricultural systems that preserve the health of soils; Defining the future strategic framework of the Convention, which sets out the organization’s priorities for the coming years.
Implications
The event’s outcomes will influence international efforts to mitigate land degradation. The focus on drought responses and sustainable agricultural systems carries implications for regional stability by addressing potential conflicts over diminishing resources. Trade/security considerations are linked through the vulnerability of food production to desertification and its impact on economic development.
Outlook
Should the visit yield tangible commitments regarding financial support for vulnerable nations, the “4 per 1000” initiative could gain momentum. If France successfully advocates for strengthened international financial instruments – specifically the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) – it would represent a key step in scaling up soil restoration efforts globally. The statement does not address any potential disagreements on funding allocation.
Conclusion
The continued prioritization of land degradation mitigation within the UN Convention’s framework hinges on sustained political will and effective resource mobilization, leaving open the question of whether the initiative can achieve its ambitious goals despite existing global challenges.
