Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Mongolia is one of the most affected countries by desertification and land-degradation:
approximately 77% of its land is degraded or vulnerable. Being at the forefront, Mongolia will host the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar from 17-28 August 2026.
Hosting COP17 gives Mongolia a unique leadership platform, not only to highlight its own land-restoration, rangeland and pastoralist challenges and solutions, but to help shape global agendas on desertification, land degradation and drought.
Mongolia’s median age is remarkably 27.8 years old (59% of the population under 30 years old), representing an incredible opportunity to harness the energy, creativity and long-term vision of its youth. A multi-stakeholder dialogue creates the space to explore what meaningful leadership looks like across government, the private sector and civil society; and how young people can help shape that leadership for decades to come.
Mongolia is one of the most affected countries by desertification and land-degradation:
approximately 77% of its land is degraded or vulnerable. Being at the forefront, Mongolia will host the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar from 17-28 August 2026.
Hosting COP17 gives Mongolia a unique leadership platform, not only to highlight its own land-restoration, rangeland and pastoralist challenges and solutions, but to help shape global agendas on desertification, land degradation and drought.
Mongolia’s median age is remarkably 27.8 years old (59% of the population under 30 years old), representing an incredible opportunity to harness the energy, creativity and long-term vision of its youth. A multi-stakeholder dialogue creates the space to explore what meaningful leadership looks like across government, the private sector and civil society; and how young people can help shape that leadership for decades to come.
