The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is convening its 17th conference of parties in Ulaanbaatar starting this week to address allocation of more than $12bn in funding for drought and land degradation projects across developing nations. The gathering occurs amid record heat conditions affecting multiple continents and elevated concerns about global food security.
The negotiations center on operationalizing commitments made during the previous summit held in Saudi Arabia in 2024, when the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership was established. Under this partnership and related initiatives, countries and international institutions have pledged $12bn over a seven-year period to assist 74 drought-affected nations. Yasmine Fouad, executive secretary of the UNCCD, framed the discussions as demonstrating commitment to multilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on linking land restoration efforts to food security outcomes.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a significant supporter of desertification-focused action, pledging hundreds of millions of dollars and collaborating with allied nations on larger collective commitments. The United States maintains membership in the convention despite withdrawing from other climate agreements. However, experts note the current funding commitment represents only a fraction of estimated requirements, with the UNCCD calculating that approximately $2.6tn is needed cumulatively by the end of this decade to address land degradation comprehensively.
Proposed projects funded through these mechanisms include modernizing irrigation infrastructure, introducing drought-resistant crop varieties, and expanding rainwater collection systems for agricultural use. Officials and advocacy organizations have indicated efforts to attract private sector funding from food companies and textile manufacturers, sectors heavily dependent on agricultural production and water resources. Discussions at the summit, concluding later this month, will focus on converting drought management plans submitted by over 70 countries into actionable implementation projects.
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