ICIMOD at UNCCD COP17

About the event

The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being hosted by Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.’ The global conference is expected to bring together delegates from UNCCD’s 197 Parties, alongside leaders from government, business and civil society, as well as scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and smallholder farmers.

The rangelands of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) cover nearly 60% of the region, supporting the livelihoods and cultures of 25–30 million pastoralists. Building on three decades of regional experience on rangelands, ICIMOD will showcase science, policy solutions, nature-based rangeland restoration, and the vital role of pastoralists in sustaining resilient mountain ecosystems and livelihoods. The platform will allow ICIMOD to bring the voice of the HKH to global action for sustainable rangelands and pastoralism.

ICIMOD’s participation at UNCCD COP17 is being partially supported by ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), funded by United Kingdom International Development through its flagship Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative.

Objectives

• Showcase successful examples of rangeland restoration, highlighting practical, community-led approaches and scalable nature-based solutions from the HKH.
• Facilitate partnership and dialogue among governments, development partners, researchers, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration and mobilise investments for sustainable rangeland management and pastoral livelihoods.
• Promote evidence-based knowledge and innovation by disseminating research and good practices on pastoralism, rangeland restoration and nature-based solutions.

Where to find us in Mongolia