ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — President of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh officially opened the High-Level Segment of the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) on August 24, issuing a urgent call for global unity, scientific innovation, and collective financial commitment to combat land degradation.  

Addressing distinguished heads of delegation, UN leaders, and international delegates in the land of the eternal blue sky, President Khurelsukh emphasized that hosting COP17 is both a solemn honor and a historic opportunity for Mongolia to lead global environmental action.  

A Warning to Humanity

Framing desertification and drought as existential threats to peace, food security, and global stability rather than isolated environmental issues, the President highlighted that over 40% of the world's land is degraded, affecting 3 billion people and risking up to US$23 trillion in economic losses by 2050.  

“Desertification, land degradation, and drought recognize neither walls nor borders,” President Khurelsukh declared. “If we do not choose here and now a decisive course of action to protect our planet, then Mother Earth will ultimately choose her own path—a path that continues without us.”

Bridging Traditional Wisdom and Modern Technology

The President highlighted Mongolia's rich nomadic tradition of living in harmony with nature, noting that combining ancient ecological wisdom with modern technology—such as AI, space technology, remote sensing, and big data—offers a powerful framework for sustainable land management.  

“Healthy land and soils are a guarantee of humanity's very existence... Healthy soil means healthy food, and healthy food means healthy people,” he stated, stressing that educating future generations in environmental stewardship remains a solemn duty.

Key Announcements and Flagship Initiatives

President Khurelsukh outlined Mongolia’s presidency agenda, which is anchored on three interconnected flagship initiatives:  

• The Rangelands Flagship Initiative: Safeguarding pastoral ecosystems and nomadic heritage.  
• Integrated Water and Land Management Initiative: Linking sustainable soil conservation directly with water security.  
• Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure: Driving green investments across arid and semi-arid regions.

He also formally submitted the Ulaanbaatar Declaration—recently adopted at the Global Pastoralists Gathering—to the COP17 plenary, urging parties to support the UN's 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.  

A Call for Consensus and Climate Finance

Emphasizing that COP17 must serve as a platform for multilateral cooperation rather than geopolitical disputes, President Khurelsukh called on international financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector to dramatically expand grant aid and green investments for vulnerable developing nations.  

“This conference must be a historic and important milestone that marks a decisive shift from declarations to action, from commitments to implementation, and from promises to tangible results,” he concluded.