UNCCD COP17

The seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”

As the first of the three Rio Convention COPs in 2026, COP17 is expected to help set the pace for global action on land, biodiversity and climate.

The conference will bring together representatives of UNCCD’s 197 Parties, alongside governments, businesses, scientists and civil society, to address desertification, land degradation and drought, and to advance solutions that support livelihoods, stability and resilience.

Land degradation is affecting up to 40 per cent of the world’s land, with impacts on food production, water availability and economic stability. In this context, COP17 aims to strengthen implementation and mobilize investment in drought resilience and sustainable land management.

Water Day, on 25 August, will focus on proactive drought risk management and cooperation on integrated water resources management, alongside other thematic days on finance, land and people, and food systems and soil health.

Find more information on the UNCCD COP17 programme and how to participate www.unccd.int — Cop17.

Discover the latest updates and stories from across the UN-Water family www.unwater.org — News.