The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be hosted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope”.
The Conference will provide an opportunity to discuss solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought, recognizing that restoring land is also essential to reducing instability, preventing displacement and strengthening human and national security in vulnerable regions.
The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), together with its partners, will contribute to several sessions throughout COP17.
IDMP Side Events
Advances in drought, aridity and impact monitoring for drought resilience
Side Event Number: 277
Date and time: Wednesday, 19 August, 15:00–16:30
Room: Met-06
Drought monitoring is the basis for early warning, preparedness and resilience-building. Timely access to reliable data, together with shared approaches to interpreting drought and aridity information, is essential for informed decision-making and effective action.
This side event, organized by the IDMP and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, will bring together key partners advancing drought and aridity monitoring at regional and global levels. The event will feature contributions from the African Union Commission (AUC), the International Water Management Institute, the National Drought Mitigation Center, and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).
Turning the Tide on Drought: From Country Needs to Action with the Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP/WMO/GWP), the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD, and Partners
Side Event Number: 275
Day and time: Friday 21 August (15:00 – 16:30)
Room: MET-04
As countries increasingly seek practical ways to strengthen drought resilience, this session will showcase how the IDMP, the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD, and partners are supporting countries in turning drought priorities into concrete action.
An interactive discussion with countries, technical partners and financing institutions will explore how collaboration can strengthen project preparation, mobilize resources and accelerate implementation. The session will provide practical insights into moving from drought planning to funded action and catalyse new partnerships to support country-led drought resilience.
IDMP will further contribute to the following evens:
Tuesday, 18 August 2026
15:00–16:30 – Climate Change and Digital Monitoring – National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring (NAMEM)
Room: Mongolia Pavilion
18:00–19:30 – Science, Innovation and Partnership for Combating Desertification – SEE Foundation
Room: MET-07
18:00–19:30 – Launch of Drought Action Catalyst Strategy – IWMI/CGIAR
Room: MET-04
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
8:30–10:00 – IDRO Phase II Technical Showcase Drought Resilience Index – UNCCD, IDRA
Room: Action Dome
10:00–13:00 – Progress Made in the Mobilization of Resources and Financial Flows for the Implementation of the Convention — UNCCD GM Plenary
13:00–14:30 – Special Session on El Niño Preparedness — CGIAR
Room: MET-05
13:00–14:30 – SPI-led Side Event
Room: MET-30
18:00–19:30 – Accelerating Drought Resilience through Learning, Collaboration and Practice – GWP
Room: MET-06
Sunday, 23 August 2026
09:00–10:30 – Climate Intelligence and Drought EWS
Room: Tsagaadai Hall
Monday, 24 August 2026 — Finance Day
08:30–10:00 – Advancing Reslience through Early Warning: The International Iniative for Sand and Dust Storms – NCM
13:00–15:00 – Weather Modification Side Event – National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring (NAMEM)
Room: COP17 Green Zone
18:00–19:00 – Official Launch of Finance for Land Restoration and Drought Resilience Playbook — The Nature Conservancy
Room: The Nature Conservancy Pavilion
Tuesday, 25 August 2026 — Water Day
08:30–10:00 – From Risk Information to Resilient Landscapes: Financing Adaptation for Climate and Water Risks — KTCPA
Room: TBD
08:30–10:00 – From Plans to Impact: Strengthening National Drought Planning for Integrated Resilience — TNC
Room: TNC Pavilion
11:30–13:00 – UN Water with WMO, UNESCO, UNECE, UNICEF
Room: MET-21
15:00–16:30 – Operationalising the Drought Nexus: Cross-sector Pathways for Resilience — Deltares
Room: TBD
16:30–18:00 – Managing water-related disasters and risks for resilient futures – UNDRR, Mongolia, WMO-EWS
Room: MET-21