Mongolia hosts UN desertification summit as drought crisis deepens

No Comment Video. Mongolia hosts UN desertification summit as drought crisis deepens Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 21/08/2026 - 12:40 GMT+2 Mongolia is hosting the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s COP17 in Ulaanbaatar from 17 to 28 August, bringing together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union to tackle land degradation, drought and desertification. Held under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”, UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar is focused on restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening resilience to drought and securing funding for countries most affected by desertification. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The talks come as land degradation threatens food production, water supplies and livelihoods, while Mongolia’s drylands face growing pressure from drought, overgrazing and desertification. At the opening on 17 August, speakers warned that existing restoration pledges were not being translated into action quickly enough, making funding and measurable projects a key test for the summit. The opening ceremony also highlighted Mongolian traditions. An 11-minute cultural programme featured a ceremonial dance, the traditional long song Erkhem tör and khoomei, a distinctive form of Mongolian throat singing. Performers associated with the Grand Theatre of National Art also presented a khadag, a traditional blue ceremonial scarf symbolising welcome and respect. On 20 August, around 50 Indigenous representatives and civil-society activists protested in Ulaanbaatar, calling for greater recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and a more meaningful role in negotiations on land degradation, drought and desertification. They urged governments to ensure that Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, local communities, women and young people could influence the formal process, rather than being confined largely to side events. Protesters also called for greater recognition of traditional knowledge and the rights of communities whose livelihoods depend directly on land and grazing areas. They argued that a dedicated Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities Caucus would have limited value without a meaningful influence on formal decisions. COP17 brings together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union and runs until 28 August. UN Climate Change Conference Mongolia desertification United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Indigenous peoples Drought Top stories Now playing Next Mongolia hosts UN desertification summit as drought crisis deepens Now playing Next Mexico: Aura battles turn a viral meme into live contests Now playing Next Spain moves hundreds of migrants from Ceuta beach to temporary shelters Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 21st, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Group of 20 migrants deported from United States arrives in Liberia Now playing Next Cuban migrants rescued by Mexico's navy after days adrift at sea Now playing Next Kyiv residents search through the wreckage after Russia’s deadly barrage Now playing Next Russia runs out of petrol at seven in 10 stations as fuel crisis worsens Now playing Next Key European leaders demand Israel halt West Bank settlement project Now playing Next Spanish authorities relocate migrants in Ceuta to temporary shelters Now playing Next New US carrier arrives in Middle East to relieve long-deployed ship Now playing Next Swiss village lives in the shadow of an unstable mountain Now playing Next Johannes Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' goes on rare overseas trip to Japan Now playing Next Identification tags and bones: How experts are identifying WWII soldiers found in the Danube Now playing Next Australia charges man with trying to pass Ukrainian military intel to Russia Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 21st, 2026 – Morning ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Drought on Serbia's Sava River reveals long-lost WWII shipwreck No Comment Tibetan protesters in New Dehli denounce China with shaved heads and prayers No Comment Sirens, shelters and scaled-back war games: South Korea rehearses for crisis No Comment Kyiv residents rescued as Russian strikes damage buildings across the city Europe News Swiss village lives in the shadow of an unstable mountain Europe News Emergency crews struggle to bring wildfire burning for weeks in Serbia under control Europe News European leaders demand Israel halt controversial E1 settlement project in West Bank USA New US carrier strike group arrives in Middle East to relieve long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln Europe News Spanish authorities begin relocating migrants from Ceuta beach to temporary shelters Business Nearly €1bn earmarked as five-part plan targets business growth, AI and exports Europe News Fire of the century in eastern Belgium brought 'under control,' local official says Culture news 'Peaky Blinders' fans can now immerse themselves in the Shelby underworld in London ADVERTISEMENT Business Series This region’s reconstruction drives investment, industry and new opportunities Health news Strasbourg hospital A&E disrupted by illicit drone deliveries to nearby prison Sport One year to go: Qatar counts down to 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Europe News Overcome market fragmentation or miss the AI train, Lagarde warns the EU Culture news Archaeologists uncover human offering at ancient ceremonial site in Lima Earth News Champagne harvest: why picking begins as early as mid-August Russia Russia runs out of petrol at seven in 10 stations as fuel crisis worsens No Comment China showcases next‑gen humanoid robots as US curbs push firms abroad ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT