The Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar will be hosting 2026’s 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification). It will be taking place from 17–28 August 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.”
As a land of priceless environmental and spiritual heritage, Mongolia is an ideal standard-bearer for COP17, especially due to its unique steppe ecosystem. It transitions from its rich northern grassland belt (the interconnected Eurasian steppe) into the arid southern Gobi Desert. The two are connected by a fragile desert-steppe zone. This gradient features extreme continental weather, sparse rainfall, and unique wildlife adapted to cold winters and hot summers.
