Mongolia will welcome the international community for a major environmental summit this August. Specifically, the seventeenth session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties will convene in Ulaanbaatar. This global conference will run from August seventeenth through twenty-eighth. Consequently, Mongolia assumes a central role in addressing desertification challenges worldwide.
The Capital City Governor’s Office recently announced the selection of a general contractor. France-based GL Events won the international tender for Blue Zone construction. Significantly, the company brings extensive relevant experience to this important project. It served as contractor for eleven COP events between 2011 and 2024.
GL Events has built temporary facilities for all three Rio Convention conferences. These include UNCCD, UNFCCC climate talks, and CBD biodiversity meetings. Most recently, the company constructed facilities for UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, its expertise aligns perfectly with Mongolia’s requirements for this global conference.
The conference will occupy land managed by the National Garden Park public enterprise. Additionally, the Capital City Governor’s Office will organize certain temporary structures and hospitality services. Director Battulga B. oversees COP17 Investment and Infrastructure and negotiation working groups. He confirmed the contractor selection process involved three distinct stages.
The summit will feature two distinct zones for participants. Specifically, the Blue Zone hosts official negotiations and delegate activities. Meanwhile, the Green Zone provides space for civil society and public engagement. This dual-zone structure follows standard UN conference practice.
Approximately ten thousand representatives from over one hundred ninety countries are expected. This global conference will address desertification, land degradation, and drought challenges. The theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope” frames the proceedings accordingly. Consequently, outcomes could shape international environmental policy for years to come.
Hosting this global conference carries significant implications for Mongolia itself. The country faces severe desertification challenges affecting its own territory. Furthermore, climate change and unsustainable land use have degraded vast areas. Therefore, Mongolia brings both hosting responsibility and personal experience to the table.
The economic impact of hosting ten thousand international visitors is substantial. Delegates will require accommodation, transportation, and services for nearly two weeks. Consequently, local businesses across multiple sectors will benefit from this influx. Thus, the global conference provides both diplomatic and economic opportunities simultaneously.
Infrastructure preparations will test Ulaanbaatar’s capacity significantly. The city must accommodate massive temporary facilities while maintaining normal functions. However, GL Events’ experience with similar conferences should smooth this process considerably. Nevertheless, coordination among multiple government entities remains absolutely essential.
Environmental organizations view this global conference as critically timed. Land degradation accelerates worldwide, threatening food security and livelihoods. Moreover, desertification drives migration and conflict in vulnerable regions. Therefore, ambitious outcomes from this gathering are urgently needed.
Mongolia’s selection as host reflects its active engagement in UNCCD processes. The country has participated in negotiations and implemented national action plans. Consequently, hosting the conference elevates Mongolia’s profile in international environmental governance. It may also attract partnership opportunities for domestic restoration projects.
The timing between COP16 in Riyadh and COP17 in Ulaanbaatar is relatively compressed. This rapid succession maintains momentum on desertification issues globally. Furthermore, it allows comparison between different regional approaches. Therefore, the global conference benefits from recent precedent while forging new ground.
Looking ahead, preparations will accelerate significantly in coming months. Temporary structures must be designed, fabricated, and installed by August. Additionally, security arrangements for thousands of delegates require detailed planning. Transportation and hospitality networks need expansion to meet unprecedented demand.
The negotiation agenda will address multiple critical issues simultaneously. Funding mechanisms for land restoration require careful attention. Technology transfer to developing countries remains particularly contentious. Furthermore, monitoring and accountability systems need meaningful strengthening. Therefore, substantive outcomes depend on effective pre-conference preparation.
In conclusion, Mongolia’s hosting of UNCCD COP17 represents a significant milestone. This global conference brings unprecedented international attention to Ulaanbaatar. It addresses desertification challenges that affect Mongolia and the world equally. With experienced contractors and committed organizers, the event promises meaningful progress toward restored land and renewed hope.
