A side event titled Leaving No One Behind in a Dusty World took place on April 23 in Bangkok. The event occurred within the 82nd session of ESCAP. ESCAP, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, and the Government of Mongolia co organized the gathering. The side event marked the launch of a new dust storm initiative.
Mr. Battulga E., Director of the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, delivered the keynote address. He also serves as Mongolia’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization. He emphasized that sand and dust storms affect human security, public health, and social equity.
Mongolia put forward three key priority areas. First, establishing an integrated regional meteorological and environmental observation system. Second, developing inclusive and accessible early warning systems. Third, strengthening institutional frameworks for sustained regional cooperation.
The dust storm initiative will have its formal launch at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in August 2026. The recent side event served as a soft launch to build momentum.
Sand and dust storms originate from arid regions including the Gobi Desert. They cause respiratory illnesses, reduce agricultural productivity, and disrupt transportation. Mongolia has experienced increasingly severe dust storms in recent years. Climate change and land degradation have worsened their frequency and intensity.
The initiative seeks to mobilize resources and technical support from international partners. Early warning systems will help at risk communities prepare for impending storms. Integrated observation systems will improve forecasting accuracy across the region. Institutional frameworks will ensure long term sustainability.
Participants expressed strong support for the dust storm initiative during the Bangkok side event. Representatives from several ESCAP member states attended. The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat pledged to facilitate cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea.
