Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 15-16 August 2026 — A Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Parties of Annex II (Part 2) was held at the COP17 Conference Centre in preparation for the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).
The meeting was attended in person by the National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (SIC ICSD IFAS).
Over the course of the two-day meeting, participants considered key issues related to preparations for COP17, including organizational arrangements for the upcoming session, implementation of the UNCCD Strategic Framework 2018-2030, financial and budgetary matters, preventing, reducing and reversing land and soil degradation in agricultural areas, as well as strengthening the science–policy interface and knowledge-sharing.
Particular attention was given to regional matters and the preparation of common regional positions. Participants discussed drought-related issues and additional agenda items, and prepared and agreed on regional statements for the opening of COP17, the 24th session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC24), and the 17th session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST17).
An important part of the meeting was devoted to consultations on regional representation and coordination of countries’ participation in the work of the Convention, including the selection of regional representatives and members of the relevant bureaux and committees.
On 16 August, representatives of SIC ICSD IFAS also participated in a meeting of the Central Asia–Russia Interregional Group (IRG), convened as part of the preparations for COP17. The meeting brought together representatives of the Central Asian countries and the Russian Federation, the UNCCD Secretariat, and SIC ICSD IFAS.
The meeting focused on coordinating the participation of IRG members in COP17. Participants exchanged information on upcoming meetings, side events and national pavilion programmes, and discussed approaches to presenting joint IRG statements during meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.
Particular attention was given to further promoting the regional experience of Central Asia and the Russian Federation in Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) assessment and drought management, as well as to strengthening scientific and technical cooperation.
The meeting also included a discussion of two forthcoming publications of the Interregional Group, including the Handbook on Land Degradation Neutrality Assessment in Central Asia: Regional Experience and Practical Approaches (2026), which provides practical guidance on LDN assessment based on regional experience, and the Land Resources: Global Overview. Central Asia Thematic Report: A Region of Ancient Traditions and Modern Opportunities (2026).
The publications consolidate knowledge, data and practical experience from across the region and are intended to contribute to further strengthening regional scientific and technical cooperation and the exchange of good practices.
Participants underscored the importance of a coordinated regional approach, regular information exchange and continued coordination of action under the UNCCD. Particular emphasis was placed on enhancing the visibility of regional initiatives and practical solutions from Central Asia at the international level.
The participation of SIC ICSD IFAS representatives and the National Focal Point of Turkmenistan in the preparatory activities for COP17 contributes to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the shared priorities of Central Asian countries in combating desertification, land degradation and drought, as well as promoting sustainable land management.
The event contributes to the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 5 dedicated to SDG 15: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems” |
| 5.1.2 Capacity-building for sustainable management of forests, land, and pastures. |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.1 Involvement of the region into implementation of global environmental conventions, programmes and initiatives. |