Ulaanbaatar, 21 April 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Preparatory Office for the 17^th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in support of Mongolia’s Presidency of COP17, which will be hosted in Ulaanbaatar in 2026.

The MoU outlines a shared commitment to ensure a successful, inclusive, and impactful organization of COP17. It focuses on three strategic areas: (1) strengthening the institutional and public engagement capacity of Mongolia’s COP17 Presidency; (2) co-developing national and global legacy programmes that will extend the impact of COP17 well beyond 2026; and (3) showcasing Mongolia’s homegrown solutions and innovations to address land degradation, desertification, and drought, and supporting the objectives of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The agreement also commits both parties to enhance efforts to mobilize the necessary financial and technical resources. 

“This MoU marks a significant step forward in our preparations for COP17 and in advancing Mongolia’s role as a global contributor to land restoration and climate solutions. With UNDP’s partnership, we aim not only to deliver an inclusive and high-impact COP17, but also to leave a lasting legacy that supports sustainable development across rangelands, drylands, communities, and ecosystems both in Mongolia and globally” said Her Excellency Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden, Director of the COP17 Preparatory Office and Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, emphasized the long-standing partnership and future potential: “This collaboration builds on over five decades of UNDP’s engagement in Mongolia and strong expertise in land restoration, climate adaptation, and rural resilience. As the country prepares to host COP17, we are committed to supporting a legacy of leadership, action, and solutions that resonate far beyond Mongolia’s borders.”

The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the Convention’s supreme decision-making body, where governments meet every two years to advance global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought. Mongolia will host COP17 in 2026, marking the first time the event will be held in Northeast Asia. This historic milestone was formalized with the signing of the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the UNCCD Secretariat in February 2025, affirming Mongolia’s commitment to deliver a successful and inclusive COP.

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For further inquiries:

Erdenesukh Otgonbayar | Communications Analyst | UNDP in Mongolia | erdenesukh.otgonbayar@undp.org