![UNEP executive director Inger Andersen has said that while achievements were made at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia over the past couple of weeks, it 'remains clear [that] progress is still needed to tackle drought, finance and implementation of already agreed goals'.](https://sustainabilityonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/55467590120_42b5dc7feb_k.jpg)
UNEP executive director Inger Andersen has said that while progress was made at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia over the past couple of weeks, it ‘remains clear [that] progress is still needed to tackle drought, finance and implementation of already agreed goals’.
Andersen was commenting as COP 17 concluded with a pledge for $1.3 billion in new and pipeline financing for land restoration and drought resilience across 23 countries on five continents. Of this, $644.5 million was identified as new finance and $216.4 million confirmed for implementation.
‘National and global response’
“The world came to Ulaanbaatar committed to the fact that if we restore land, we can restore hope in a future where we all thrive,” Andersen said in her COP 17 closing statement. “On drought, we need both a national and global response. Countries need financial and technical support to build resilience before disaster strikes, rather than scrambling to respond during a crisis.
“But drought is a global challenge that demands a global response. By 2050, it could affect more than three-quarters of the world’s population, threatening lives, livelihoods, and food security across the world. This is not a can we can keep kicking down the drought-prone road.”
According to the UNCCD, around 40% of usable agricultural land is degraded around the world, affecting 3.2 billion people, and bringing with it the potential for land degradation, food and water insecurity, migration, drought and biodiversity loss.
The Mongolia summit also focused on the financing gap that exists when it comes to land protection, with around $355 billion needed annually compared with approximately $70 billion currently.
Mayor’s Forum
The event also saw a joint declaration published by the first Mayor’s Forum, coordinated by the mayor of Ulaanbaatar, involving representatives from 30 countries. Elsewhere, China and the League of Arab States agreed a five-year land restoration cooperation plan.
“Another area of growing importance to emerge from COP 17 was the recognition of how interconnected healthy land is to peace, security, and migration,” Andersen added. “This issue is here and now and will be critical to address at the next set of talks.
“The work to restore our lands continues. And so does the hope.” Read more here.
