Context
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) concluded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in August 2026
Explanation
- UNCCD, adopted in 1994, is a legally binding Rio Convention addressing desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD); its secretariat is in Bonn, Germany.
- COP is UNCCD’s supreme decision-making body; COP17 was hosted by Mongolia during the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026.
- Rangelands include grasslands, savannas, shrublands, steppes and pastures used by livestock and wildlife; they cover about 54% of Earth’s land surface.
- They support around 2 billion people and about 500 million pastoralists, while providing carbon storage, biodiversity, food and water regulation.
- COP17 recognised pastoralists as key ecosystem stewards and highlighted transboundary pastoral mobility and traditional knowledge.
- The Rangelands Flagship Initiative mobilised $1.2 billion across 45 projects for restoration and sustainable management.
- Mongolia’s Steppe Plan includes initiatives on rangelands, water–land nexus and nature-based infrastructure.
- COP17 also advanced the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO) and the Drought Resilience Index (DRI) for proactive drought preparedness.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040