The top UN official for combating land degradation will visit Mongolia this week. Specifically, UNCCD Executive Secretary Yasmine Fouad begins her official visit on February third. Importantly, her trip aims to significantly strengthen essential global cooperation on desertification. Consequently, the visit is a key preparatory step for a major international summit next year. Therefore, it highlights Mongolia’s central role in hosting this critical environmental conference.
Primarily, the 17th UNCCD Conference of Parties will convene in August 2026. Notably, Ulaanbaatar will host this significant global gathering on land issues. Accordingly, Fouad’s visit will review logistical and substantive preparations thoroughly. Furthermore, she plans to meet a wide range of high-level Mongolian officials during her stay. Additionally, she will engage ambassadors and international development partners directly.
Moreover, her agenda includes consultations with private sector representatives. Simultaneously, scientists, researchers, and civil society groups will also provide their input. Significantly, representatives of youth and children will join these discussions. Ultimately, these broad meetings seek to ensure multi-stakeholder participation in solutions. Hence, fostering inclusive global cooperation is the mission’s core objective.
Notably, Executive Secretary Fouad brings substantial experience to this diplomatic effort. Previously, she served as Egypt’s Minister of Environment for seven years. Subsequently, the United Nations appointed her to her current role in May 2025. Consequently, her leadership is crucial for advancing the convention’s strategic goals now. Undoubtedly, this visit represents one of her first major regional engagements.
Conversely, Mongolia itself faces severe challenges with desertification and land degradation. In particular, expanding droughts threaten its traditional pastoral economy and ecosystems. As a result, hosting COP17 places the country at the center of the global response. Thus, the event will drive international attention and potential investment there. Clearly, successfully organizing the summit is a major national priority.
Generally, experts view such high-level preparatory visits as vital for summit success. Primarily, they align host country capacities with UN procedural requirements effectively. Meanwhile, they also build political momentum and public awareness internationally. Consequently, this focused global cooperation can translate into stronger final negotiated outcomes. For instance, the meetings will likely shape the conference’s official themes and side events.
Furthermore, the visit underscores the growing urgency of land restoration globally. Specifically, climate change intensifies drought and desertification processes worldwide. Likewise, sustainable land management is now a pillar of international climate action. Accordingly, forums like COP17 are crucial for sharing technology and policy frameworks. Moreover, they mobilize financial commitments for vulnerable nations.
Looking ahead, the four-day visit will produce a series of joint statements. Typically, these will outline shared commitments and a roadmap toward COP17. Subsequently, Mongolian authorities will demonstrate their logistical preparations and vision. Meanwhile, the international community will assess the host’s readiness and engagement. Overall, all parties aim for a productive and impactful conference in 2026.
In conclusion, this diplomatic mission reinforces a collaborative multilateral approach. Ultimately, tackling desertification requires unwavering global cooperation across all sectors. Indeed, Executive Secretary Fouad’s visit symbolizes a commitment to this shared challenge. Similarly, Mongolia’s hosting role highlights the specific burdens faced by arid nations. Finally, the world will watch as preparations for this critical environmental forum advance.
