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Yasmine Fouad Leads COP17 Talks in Mongolia to Address Global Drought and Land Degradation

Yasmine Fouad, executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is leading negotiations at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The talks, running until August 28, focus on restoring land and building drought resilience to ensure global food security. A key outcome of the summit is the operationalization of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which pledged $12 billion over seven years to support 74 countries facing severe land degradation. While the UNCCD has historically received less attention than other environmental treaties, it is gaining momentum as nations recognize the risks of extreme weather. The European Union is pushing for proactive risk management and showcasing investments like Africa’s Great Green Wall. Meanwhile, China has debuted a "China Corner" exhibition to showcase its achievements, including the world's largest afforestation program. The administration remains a member of the UNCCD, despite the fact that the administration withdrew from the Paris agreement and the UNFCCC. The summit aims to convert global pledges into tangible projects, such as improved irrigation and drought-resistant crops.

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