Global Leaders Set Agenda for COP17 on Climate Action

Global leaders convened to establish the agenda for COP17, which will focus on water and food security, scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026. The theme is "Restoring Land, Restoring Hope." Yasmin Fouad, the UNCCD Executive Secretary, emphasized the critical opportunity for countries to move beyond commitments to deliver measurable outcomes in land restoration.

The conference will address the need for mobilizing financial resources to combat drought and enhance resilience, with an estimated funding gap of $1 billion for land restoration. Four thematic days will cover financing, drought preparedness, the role of rangelands, and strategies to boost global food production by at least 50% by 2050.

Nigeria, a signatory to the UNCCD, faces severe land degradation and desertification, particularly in its northern region, and is committed to the Great Green Wall initiative aimed at reclaiming degraded landscapes. The outcomes of COP17 will be critical for Nigeria and other developing countries seeking stronger financial commitments and technological support.