Video Message from the UN Resident Coordinator for Mongolia at the COP17 meeting with Development Partners

Video Message from the UN Resident Coordinator for Mongolia for the Development Partners’ Consultation Meeting on COP17

Monday, 21 April 2025 from 9:00 to 15:30

Consensus Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to address you today on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Mongolia.

First, congratulations to Mongolia for being chosen to host COP17 in 2026. We look forward to this global gathering to accelerate action against desertification, land degradation, and drought. With 77% of its land degraded, Mongolia is an ideal host to highlight the urgency of collective action.

Video Message by the UN Resident Coordinator

COP17 will coincide with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, a UN initiative strongly championed by Mongolia. This provides a unique platform to emphasize the critical role of rangelands and advance sustainable land management solutions.

We deeply appreciate the collaboration of the Government of Mongolia, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the UNCCD COP17 Preparatory Office in organizing today’s meeting. The United Nations is honored to co-host this consultation.

Desertification and land degradation are urgent realities affecting food and water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods, accelerating poverty and the climate crisis. Mongolia’s visible impact and proactive steps make it a leader in the global response.

Indeed, today’s meeting is an opportunity to build partnerships and a shared vision for meaningful progress. Achieving Vision 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals require sustainable land use, restoring degraded land, protecting pasturelands, and investing in nature-based solutions.

The United Nations stands ready to support this effort. Through my office and our UN Country Team, we are committed to supporting the Government and the COP17 Preparatory Office every step of the way.

We count on our continued partnership. Our shared experiences, ideas, and support are key to making this conference a success. We encourage you to share successful projects and best practices, support a shared understanding of Mongolia’s land degradation challenges, and consider how your organization might contribute to COP17 preparations.

We welcome your active engagement in today’s discussions and in the months ahead. Together, we can ensure COP17 becomes a milestone for Mongolia and the global fight against desertification.

Thank you for your commitment.

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