AGP Executive Report

Drought as a system risk: A new analysis of UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia argues drought is no longer just “land degradation.” Climate change is shifting rainfall and ecosystems, while food-system links spread drought shocks into prices, competition, and instability. SCO diplomacy with an environmental edge: President Khurelsukh told SCO leaders Mongolia wants the bloc to move from dialogue to “implementation,” including sustainable development and environmental protection, alongside trade and investment. UNCCD COP17 follow-through: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar mobilized about $1.3bn for rangelands, but postponed a global drought agreement to COP18, with critics warning preparedness and resilience still lag. Youth and work rights: Mongolia’s ILO-backed training in Ulaanbaatar focused on decent work and youth rights, including safer conditions and legal awareness for young workers. Local climate-smart farming: In Töv, a dairy shift is helping herders adapt to drought and degrading grasslands, with digital tools and investment supporting more resilient milk production. Water governance theme: Coverage highlights how drought, land and water stress are tied to governance choices, not just rainfall.

UNCCD COP17 Wrap-Up (Ulaanbaatar): COP17 closed with mixed results: countries mobilized about $1.3 billion for land restoration and rangelands, but postponed a global drought agreement to COP18, leaving preparedness gaps front and center. Rangelands Take Center Stage: A major $1.2bn Rangelands Flagship was launched across 23 countries, aiming to protect grasslands and support pastoral livelihoods—critical since rangelands cover most of the planet’s land and underpin biodiversity and food systems. WWF Push for Implementation: WWF praised the investment momentum but warned that pledges must translate into on-the-ground resilience for communities facing worsening drought and land degradation. Mongolia–China Green Cooperation: President Khurelsukh met Xi Jinping in Bishkek; both highlighted cooperation on environmental protection alongside rail, renewable energy, and agriculture, with Xi congratulating Mongolia for hosting COP17. Media as a Climate Tool: UNCCD COP17 also spotlighted international media cooperation to help the public understand land degradation and support sustainable development.

UNCCD COP17 Follow-up: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with a big rangelands push: a $1.2bn Rangelands Flagship Initiative across 45 projects, plus a $1.3bn portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience in 23 countries—yet drought preparedness talks were deferred to COP18. Rangelands & Climate: A week of coverage keeps returning to Mongolia’s grasslands as a climate battleground, with rangelands covering about 54% of Earth’s land and supporting pastoral livelihoods. SCO in Bishkek: Mongolia’s leaders met Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with renewable energy and environmental cooperation on the agenda. Green Schools in Ulaanbaatar: School No. 57 opened as a “Green, Smart, Healthy and Safe” model with solar plus battery storage, composting, and hydroponics—backed by UNICEF and the government’s “Liberate” initiative. Food Security via Seeds: JICA’s survey aims to localize onion seed value chains in Mongolia, cutting reliance on imported seeds and improving farmer training and trials. Wildlife Conservation: IUCN reports 124.3m hectares are being restored globally, but only about 10% of pledged land restoration is on track.

UNCCD COP17 Land Push: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar elevated rangelands and grasslands, launching a Rangelands Flagship Initiative that mobilized $1.2B and secured a broader $1.3B green investment portfolio across 23 countries—though drought preparedness talks stalled and were deferred to COP18 in 2028. Rangelands on the Ground: A new report warns pastoralists may not see money fast enough; when rains fail, herders in places like Tanzania’s Maasai Steppe can lose cattle and livelihoods before restoration funding arrives. Mongolia–China Cooperation: Xi Jinping told Mongolia China is ready to deepen cooperation “hand in hand,” including green minerals and other emerging areas, as SCO leaders meet in Bishkek. SCO Summit Watch: Bishkek hosts the SCO’s 25th anniversary with leaders including Mongolia’s president, while environmental cooperation is explicitly on the agenda. Desertification Stories: An American teacher’s 26-year friendship with a Chinese desertification fighter highlights long-term restoration impacts and people-to-people support. Next COP18 Host: Parties unanimously selected Egypt to host UNCCD COP18 in 2028, keeping drought and land degradation high on the agenda.

UNCCD COP17 Wrap-Up (Ulaanbaatar): Delegations left Mongolia with a push for implementation after adopting decisions on drought policy, the post-2030 strategic framework, and ways to turn land-restoration pledges into real projects. Land Restoration Finance: Nations announced a $1.3bn financing portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience, with new and confirmed funding aimed at 23 countries—plus an “investment hub” meant to close a $278bn gap for rangeland restoration. Rangelands & Pastoralists: A Tanzania-focused report warns that when rains fail, herders are forced to move cattle as boreholes run low—raising the key question of whether COP money reaches communities before the next drought. Mongolia’s COP17 Outcomes: The conference also backed $1.2bn for rangeland restoration and highlighted that soil degradation and drought are driving food and freshwater crises. Desertification Diplomacy: Egypt was unanimously selected to host UNCCD COP18 in 2028, while Zimbabwe took over the African Group chairmanship for the next two years. People-to-People Greening: In Inner Mongolia, an American teacher reunited with a desertification pioneer after 26 years, tied to a donation that helped turn once-barren land greener.

UNCCD COP17 Afterglow: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar wrapped with big money for land restoration and drought resilience, but delegates still couldn’t agree on a global, proactive drought framework—pushing key decisions to COP18 in Egypt. Finance & Delivery: Parties mobilized about $1.3bn for 23 countries, including a rangelands push with $1.2bn across 45 projects, while UNCCD leaders stressed the real test is what happens back home. Drought Politics: Egypt is now set to host COP18 in 2028, and Egypt’s ministers are calling for a legally binding drought protocol plus early-warning and integrated water-land management. Africa’s Role: Zimbabwe took over the African Group chairmanship for UNCCD, aiming to steer drought and land-degradation priorities through to COP18. Regional Diplomacy: Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh is heading to Bishkek for the SCO leaders’ meeting, where environment and regional cooperation sit alongside security and trade. Local Relevance: Indigenous peoples and pastoralists at COP17 warned that civil society and gender issues were sidelined, urging Mongolia’s presidency to keep restoration decisions inclusive.

UNCCD COP17 Finance Push: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended with a major land-restoration and drought-resilience financing package of about $1.3bn for 23 countries, plus an “investment hub” aimed at closing a $278bn restoration gap—though delegates postponed a global drought preparedness framework to COP18. Rangelands at the Center: Mongolia’s COP17 spotlighted rangelands and pastoral livelihoods, including a $1.2bn rangelands priority initiative across dozens of projects, while civil society warned that key issues like participation and gender were sidelined. Drought Diplomacy: Egypt urged a legally binding drought protocol and stronger early-warning systems, as drought and land degradation keep threatening water and food security. Regional Politics with Environmental Reach: Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh is set to attend the SCO summit in Bishkek (Sept 1), where environment is listed among cooperation areas. Wildlife & Trade Watch: Qatar’s migratory bird hunting season is boosting falcon sales at Souq Waqif, raising questions for conservation-minded readers.

UNCCD COP17 Finance Push: COP17 in Ulaanbaatar ended without a global, legally binding drought framework, but still mobilized up to $1.3bn for land restoration and drought resilience across 23 countries, with rangelands and pastoral livelihoods pushed to the front. Drought Protocol Debate: Egypt and other delegations called for a stronger, legally binding drought protocol and earlier preparedness, warning that delays keep communities exposed. Rangeland Investment Hub: A new COP17 “investment hub” aims to close the $278bn land restoration finance gap by linking investors to community projects, targeting grasslands, shrublands, wetlands and deserts. Local Implementation Pressure: Mongolian and civil society voices warned that commitments must translate into real participation for Indigenous peoples, women, youth and pastoralists—not just pledges on paper. EU Forest Cooperation: Mongolia and the EU discussed expanding forest rehabilitation and sustainable forest management, including links to EIB financing and the “Steppe Action Agenda.” SCO Summit Watch: Bishkek prepares for the Sept 1 SCO summit with major regional leaders, while environmental cooperation remains a key backdrop for Central Asia diplomacy.

UN Land Restoration Funding Gap: UN says meeting 2030 land restoration goals needs $355B a year, but current investment is about $77B, leaving a $278B deficit, with private finance still tiny (~6%). Mongolia COP17 Update: UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar closed without a global drought preparedness framework; delegates postponed the proactive drought plan to COP18, while still mobilizing up to $1.3B for land restoration and drought resilience across 23 countries, led by a $1.2B rangelands initiative. Implementation Pressure: UNCCD chief Yasmine Fouad called COP17 a “COP of implementation,” warning that putting commitments on paper isn’t enough. Community & Rights Clash: Indigenous peoples and pastoralists protested that one party’s objections sidelined core issues like gender, civil society participation, and meaningful decision-making. Mongolia-EU Forestry Push: Mongolia and the EU discussed expanding forest rehabilitation and sustainable forest management, including pastureland rehabilitation, integrated water-land management, and nature-based solutions. Zero Waste Network Grows: Mongolia’s cities and aimags joined the International Zero Waste Cities Network, pushing reduce-reuse-recycle systems. SCO Summit in Bishkek: Leaders including Mongolia’s president are set for the SCO summit on Sept 1, with regional diplomacy in the spotlight.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Parties closed the two-week desertification talks with rangelands back at the center and $1.2–$1.3 billion lined up for restoration, but negotiators still couldn’t agree on a global drought preparedness and management framework—kicking the hardest decisions to COP18. Civil society pushback: Indigenous peoples, women, youth, and pastoralists warned that one party’s objections sidelined core issues like gender, civil society participation, and cross-convention cooperation, urging Mongolia’s presidency to keep talks inclusive. Implementation pressure: UNCCD’s chief stressed COP17 must translate pledges into on-the-ground action, not just paperwork. Mongolia-EU forestry cooperation: Mongolia and the EU discussed expanding forest rehabilitation and sustainable forest management, including potential EIB financing and a “Steppe Action Agenda” legacy. Private sector gets a seat: UNCCD and Mongolia’s Business Council signed an MoU to launch Business4Land Mongolia, aiming to mobilize investment and innovation for land restoration and drought resilience. Local restoration wins: A Mongolian project reported 37,500 new trees planted on wildfire-damaged land, with staged expansion planned.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: The conference’s high-level week is pushing a clear message: land restoration and drought action must move from pledges to implementation, with ministers and delegates from ~170 countries focusing on finance, water, and people-centered governance. Soil crisis: A new UN/FAO report warns more than half the world’s soils are in poor condition, threatening food and biodiversity, and says proven soil-health measures aren’t being adopted fast enough. Mongolia–EU forestry push: Mongolia and the EU discussed expanding cooperation on sustainable forest management and rehabilitation, including links to the EU-Mongolia Forest Partnership and possible EIB financing. Mongolia–Japan desertification support: Mongolia and Japan agreed to expand programs to mitigate desertification and drought, including training and updating the UN index, building on past Japanese-backed freshwater and biodiversity work. Business4Land Mongolia Hub: UNCCD and Mongolia’s Business Council signed an MoU to create a Mongolia hub to pull private investment into land restoration and drought resilience. Zero Waste cities: Ulaanbaatar and other Mongolian cities joined an International Zero Waste Cities Network, aiming to scale waste reduction, reuse, and recycling systems. Cultural heritage under climate stress: A COP17-linked story highlights how climate change is accelerating damage to Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia’s heritage sanctuary.

Soil Crisis at COP17: A new UN FAO report warns more than half of the world’s soils are in poor condition, with soil degradation accelerating and proven soil-health measures not being adopted fast enough—threatening food, biodiversity, and climate stability. Rangelands & Pastoral Resilience: Qatar’s environment ministry highlighted rangeland protection and ecosystem restoration efforts at COP17, stressing that healthy rangelands support biodiversity, soil health, and drought resilience. Nature-based Solutions Push: Mongolia and partners used a COP17 dialogue to argue that nature-based solutions need real policy and finance to scale up across land, climate, and biodiversity goals. Land Restoration Funding: The ADB launched its FIELD initiative, aiming to attract at least $2 billion by 2035 to restore degraded land and strengthen drought resilience across Asia-Pacific. Mongolia’s Mining Rehab Results: Mongolia reported 13,980 hectares of technical rehabilitation and 3,632 hectares of biological rehabilitation of mining-degraded land between 2020–2025, sharing next-step strategies. Green AI Data Center Plan: Mongolia’s PM unveiled an energy-efficient renewable “Green AI Data Center” concept tied to the Steppe Action agenda, aiming to cut emissions while boosting environmental data and decision-making. COP17 Negotiations Under Strain: Civil society and the EU warned that agenda disputes and blocked discussions could undermine multilateral progress as talks enter the final stretch. Agriculture Update: Mongolia expects its 2026 harvest to meet domestic demand, with preliminary figures projecting 555,300 tons of grain including wheat and potatoes.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia is pushing “Rio synergies” across climate, biodiversity and desertification, with a Steppe Action agenda aimed at turning commitments into investable land restoration and drought resilience. Land restoration finance: The UNCCD Global Mechanism says Africa must move from project-by-project funding to large, bankable landscape programmes, while experts argue rangeland restoration can return $4–$6 per $1 invested. Mining land rehab: Mongolia reported 13,980 hectares of technical rehabilitation and 3,632 hectares of biological rehabilitation of mining-degraded land over 2020–2025. Drought preparedness & water: COP17 discussions highlighted early warning and risk financing, plus Mongolia’s “Blue Horse” surface-water storage plan to capture spring floods and protect Gobi drinking sources. Food security at home: Mongolia’s 2026 harvest update projects grain output of 555,300 tons (including wheat and potatoes) supported by concessional loans for timely farm operations. Green AI data centers: PM Uchral unveiled an energy-efficient renewable-powered “Green AI Data Center” concept to cut emissions while building a smart environmental decision platform. Soil crisis warning: A new FAO report says over half the world’s soils are in poor condition and proven soil practices still aren’t being adopted fast enough.

UNCCD COP17, Mongolia: UNCCD’s chief Yasmine Fouad says three “World Restoration Flagships” are already showing results, with awards for Brazil, the Sahel and Saudi Arabia—together targeting nearly 5 million hectares restored by 2030. Drought resilience & water: Mongolia’s “Blue Horse” push aims to store spring flood and summer rainwater via reservoirs and to protect Gobi drinking sources, while Egypt calls for a legally binding global drought protocol and stronger early-warning and preparedness. Rangelands & pastoralists: India and Bangladesh both stress community-led rangeland restoration, with pastoralists treated as custodians; FAO adds that restoring the right grasses and forage matters for long-term productivity. Regional green tech: Uzbekistan, China and Mongolia discussed science-backed pasture restoration and desertification control, while Mongolia and Japan plan to expand cooperation on drought and desertification risk work. Mongolia’s green economy angle: A deal links Mongolia’s green AI data centre ambitions to renewable power and efficiency, and Prime Minister Uchral met Loro Piana on sustainable cashmere practices.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said Africa’s Great Green Wall has restored over 20 million hectares, linking land restoration to livelihoods and peace, while warning that insecurity and conflict keep pressure on drought-hit communities. Rangelands & pastoralists: India urged community-led, science-based rangeland restoration that treats pastoralists as custodians, not just beneficiaries, arguing traditional knowledge plus modern planning can make recovery work. Drought policy shift: Egypt called for a legally binding global drought protocol and stronger early-warning and preparedness, as drought and land degradation threaten water, food security, and stability. Drought preparedness now: Sri Lanka echoed the “before crisis” message, pushing for climate information, early-warning systems, capacity building, and predictable finance for developing countries. Mongolia-Japan cooperation: Mongolia and Japan agreed to expand projects on desertification and drought risk reduction, including staff training and updating UN indices, building on Japan-supported conservation and freshwater work. Local green infrastructure: A Chinese-Mongolian wastewater treatment facility is credited with turning around Ulaanbaatar’s Tuul River pollution, supporting a smoother handover to local operators. Green urban push: BYD Battery signed an MoU with Ulaanbaatar to expand green transport, charging, and battery storage for lower-carbon city development.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Kuwait is sending a delegation to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, stressing sustainable land management and cooperation on drought and sand-and-dust storms. Pastoralist Rights: Pastoralists attending COP17 are pushing for stronger protections for Indigenous herding traditions, more funding, and official recognition of Indigenous knowledge as climate impacts intensify. Soil vs Climate Deadlock: France warns talks could stall if land degradation is treated separately from climate, biodiversity and water scarcity, while the U.S. is accused of blocking progress. Brazil’s Land Targets: Brazil unveiled voluntary land degradation neutrality targets to restore over 163,000 km² by 2030, combining native vegetation recovery, agroforestry and conservation in indigenous and watershed areas. Drought Resilience Playbook: India’s Bhupender Yadav urged a shift from reactive relief to proactive, technology-enabled drought resilience, including early warning, satellite monitoring and watershed/forest restoration. Mongolia’s Finance Push: The EIB and Mongolia signed an LOI opening up to EUR 200 million for forestry and conservation, aiming to protect forests, restore degraded land and create jobs. Green Urban Tech: BYD Battery signed an MoU with Ulaanbaatar to cooperate on green transport, charging networks and battery storage for lower-carbon city development. Biodiversity + Loss & Damage: Experts at COP17 discussed how to better track ecosystem losses in Loss & Damage assessments, including non-economic impacts on livelihoods and culture.