Approximately 70% of the Earth’s land surface is considered habitable, yet this proportion is shifting rapidly. Currently, 40% of the soil humanity relies on for sustenance is degraded and turning barren. Driven by climate change, drought, unsustainable agricultural practices, and other human activities, vast tracts of habitable land are desertifying, while existing deserts continue to expand.
The crisis was identified and scientifically documented as early as the 20th century. The United Nations urged member states to recognize that land is fundamental to survival; its loss drives poverty, migration, and conflict. Consequently, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1996. With 197 parties, the Convention convenes regular Conferences of the Parties (COP) to negotiate mechanisms to halt desertification and land degradation.
This year, the UN tasked Mongolia with hosting COP17. The conference opened in Ulaanbaatar on August 17, drawing delegates from most UNCCD member states alongside more than 400 organizations and community representatives.
Government delegates are negotiating the Convention’s strategic plans and financing. As the sole legally binding international instrument addressing land degradation, the UNCCD provides a critical framework. Alongside officials, hundreds of experts from academia, NGOs, and government agencies convened to share insights and strategies for combating soil loss and desertification.
The urgency is underscored by stark figures: nearly 3.5 billion people are affected by land degradation. Estimates suggest the annual cost to address this crisis and protect livelihoods and food security reaches $900 million.
Drought frequency has surged by two-thirds since 2000.
Water scarcity is intensifying; demand is projected to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030.
Approximately 85% of those impacted reside in low- and middle-income nations, and land degradation is a primary driver of mass migration as food and income sources vanish.
Mongolia’s experience—where the cost of producing a loaf of bread has tripled over the past decade—resonated across participating regions. From the outset, leaders emphasized that COP17 addresses an immediate, escalating crisis, not a distant environmental concern.
“This summer, we witnessed drought disrupting river transport and straining energy production across the globe, including in Europe. It reduced agricultural yields and triggered deadly wildfires. Similar crises are emerging in regions previously considered immune. The message is clear: drought is no longer merely an environmental or geographic issue; it is a systemic risk to food and water security, international commerce, energy supplies, livelihoods, and ultimately, global stability and prosperity,” said Dr. Yasmin Foudh, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, at the opening ceremony.
Mongolia was selected as host for three reasons: it formally bid four years ago; it is on the front lines of land degradation, with average temperatures rising 2°C over the past 80 years and precipitation declining sharply, causing Gobi Desert sands to reach as far as South Korea and Japan; and it has been a leader in global efforts to combat desertification.
“Mongolia, with its vast territory and sparse population of two people per square kilometer, is among the nations most affected by these global challenges. Desertification affects 77% of our land—eight out of every ten steps—and encroaching sands continue to advance,” the Prime Minister stated, noting that Mongolia has integrated numerous anti-desertification measures into its national development plans since joining the Convention.
As COP17 President, Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh pledged Mongolia’s full commitment to combating the land degradation that threatens the fabric of its nomadic heritage—a pledge backed by concrete action.
“Today, Mongolia contributes to global efforts through national initiatives that protect ecosystems, combat desertification, restore degraded land, strengthen food security, and enhance community resilience. The Billion Trees National Movement, the Food Revolution, White Gold, and Unlock initiatives—launched by the President and Prime Minister—along with the recently adopted climate change law, demonstrate this commitment. Internationally, Mongolia spearheaded the UN General Assembly resolution designating 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists,” said Foreign Minister Batmunkh.
What Solutions Can COP17 Deliver?
No single solution fits all regions, each facing unique drought and degradation challenges. The estimated annual cost of $6.5 trillion may appear insurmountable, but the economics tell a different story.
Experts and business leaders have demonstrated that land restoration projects yield returns of $7 to $30 for every dollar invested, driven by sustainable food production and profitable green enterprises.
This profitability attracts essential private capital. Since the UNCCD’s inception, numerous countries have integrated restoration measures into national development plans, fostering public-private partnerships.
“Countries have already pledged to restore one billion hectares by 2030, and over 70 have submitted drought management plans. We are not starting from scratch. More than 100 nations seek to convert land restoration plans into investable projects worth $2 billion, and over 300 businesses are engaging with us here,” said Executive Secretary Foudh.
Corporate participation is robust, reflecting the conference’s aim to mobilize private finance. Mongolia alone anticipates over $1.5 billion directed toward reforestation, green energy, and sustainable agriculture.
Equally vital is the dialogue among all stakeholders. At COP17, more than 500 indigenous representatives from the Amazon, Africa, and the Asian steppes voiced their challenges and solutions.
Featuring 60 solution exhibitors and over 400 cultural and scientific events, COP17 promises to be among the most dynamic sessions in the Convention’s history.
Organizers expect over 30,000 attendees before the conference concludes on August 28.
