Mongolia has signed an agreement with UNCCD to host COP17 in 2026. The conference will address desertification, which affects many nations, including Mongolia, where 70% of the land is at risk. Ambassador Jargalsaikhan Ensaikhan emphasized the need for effective reforestation and research to combat this challenge.
Mongolia has officially signed an agreement with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to host COP17, the 17th session of the Conference of Parties, in its capital city of Ulan Bator in 2026. This significant event will bring together representatives from 194 nations to address the escalating issue of desertification.
Ambassador Jargalsaikhan Ensaikhan, who was in Washington for preparatory discussions, highlighted the critical expansion of the Gobi desert, a large arid region in southern Mongolia and northern China. He emphasized, “It is expanding bit by bit. The sands are moving.”
Desertification is not only a local concern but a global one, affecting over 100 countries, primarily in the Global South. Ensaikhan estimated that around 70% of Mongolia’s land is threatened by encroaching sands and adverse weather conditions, which impact food security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of many pastoralists.
In response to this challenge, Mongolia is launching a national reforestation initiative named “One Billion Trees,” aiming to engage every citizen in planting trees by 2030. Reforestation is a vital strategy against desertification, as it strengthens topsoil and retains water, with tree roots serving critical environmental functions.
Ambassador Ensaikhan highlighted the importance of strategic research in ensuring the effectiveness of tree planting, noting that not every tree species is suitable for Mongolia’s environment. He stated, “There needs to be research,” to facilitate the successful implementation of reforestation efforts during COP17, which will focus on sharing best practices and initiating collaborative research projects.
Mongolia’s commitment to host COP17 in 2026 marks a pivotal moment in the global fight against desertification. With approximately 60% of Mongolia’s land threatened and the launch of the “One Billion Trees” initiative, the country aims to combat environmental degradation effectively. The conference will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and the development of effective reforestation strategies.
Original Source: www.upi.com
