COP17 in Mongolia: Finding solutions to land degradation

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   COP17 delegates in Mongolia weigh private funding and national strategies for land recovery

   The 17th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar is shifting toward private investment and technical exchange to combat land degradation. The Asian Development Bank launched the FIELD Initiative to mobilize $2 billion by 2035 for drought resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Meanwhile, China is showcasing its domestic anti-desertification technologies at a dedicated pavilion to assist other nations. Luxury brand Loro Piana also presented its Resilient Threads initiative, marking 40 years of sourcing cashmere from the region while focusing on sustainability.

   Why it matters

   Global nations are currently failing to meet previous pledges to restore degraded land. This conference aims to reverse the soil crisis by moving away from grant-dependent projects toward sustainable land management.

   What is confirmed

   • The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is occurring in Mongolia's capital.
   • The Asian Development Bank launched the FIELD Initiative to mobilize at least $2 billion by 2035 for land restoration and drought resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
   • China is using a pavilion at COP17 to share its experience and technologies for curbing desert expansion and restoring grasslands.
   • Loro Piana presented progress on its Resilient Threads initiative in Ulaanbaatar.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of private capital commitments toward the ADB FIELD Initiative
   • Official COP17 reports on whether member nations have increased their land restoration pledges
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.scmp.com — Loro Piana’s Frédéric Arnault underscores commitment to sustainable Mongolian cashmere at Cop17
   2. baynews9.com — North Port's Land Acquisition Program finding balance between growth, green space
   3. www.chinaview.cn — Xinhua Headlines: China's anti-desertification solutions contribute to a greener world
   4. www.devdiscourse.com — Can Land Restoration Attract Private Capital? ADB’s new Initiative Is About to Find Out
   confidence 100%
2. 22d ago

   Global talks on land degradation underway in Mongolia

   The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is taking place in Mongolia, focusing on finding solutions to land degradation, drought, and desertification. Countries are discussing ways to restore degraded lands, with a report showing that nations are falling short of their pledges to restore stricken land. The conference aims to address the soil crisis and promote sustainable land management practices.

   Why it matters

   Land degradation affects millions of people worldwide, with severe consequences for food security, biodiversity, and climate change. The UNCCD COP17 brings together countries to share knowledge, technologies, and best practices to combat desertification and promote sustainable land use. The conference is crucial in addressing the global soil crisis and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

   What is confirmed

   • Countries are falling short of their pledges to restore stricken land.
   • The clean energy transition requires land, and can help restore it too.
   • China and Arab states have launched a five-year action plan to combat drought, desertification, and land degradation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • India highlights its innovative, diversified financing architecture for land restoration

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of the COP17 meeting and countries' commitments to land restoration
   • The effectiveness of China's five-year action plan to combat drought, desertification, and land degradation
   • The role of youth and science in land restoration efforts
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. Euronews.com — COP17 in Mongolia: Finding solutions to land degradation
   2. Inside Climate News — A Global Gathering to Tackle the Planet’s Soil Crisis Is Underway in Mongolia
   3. Time Magazine — Our Approach to Drought and Wildfire Is Economically Backwards
   4. Reuters — Countries fall far short of pledges to restore stricken land, report shows
   5. Landscape Alliance — New online courses strengthen skills for landscape restoration across Africa
   6. Global Times — China, Arab states launch a five-year action plan to combat drought, desertification and land degradation
   7. grist.org — Living with drought has taught pastoralists lessons the world needs
   8. UN News — The clean energy transition needs land. Can it help restore it too?
   9. Social News XYZ — COP17 meet: India highlights its innovative, diversified financing architecture for land restoration
   10. theclimatewatch.com — Bangladesh urges youth-led, science-based land restoration at UN desertification summit
   confidence 85%