Ulaanbaatar, August 23: Indian Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Sunday. He is attending the 17th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17).
In a post on the social media platform X, Yadav stated, “Today, I reached the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, to participate in the ongoing COP17 of the UNCCD. Over the next few days, I will present India’s stance on issues related to land degradation neutrality and eco-restoration during various forums and bilateral meetings.”
Yadav was welcomed by Atul Malhari Gotsurve, India’s Ambassador to Mongolia, and E. Odbayar, the foreign policy advisor to the President of Mongolia.
The Indian Embassy in Mongolia shared on X, “On August 23, India’s Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve and Dr. E. Odbayar, foreign policy advisor to the President of Mongolia, welcomed Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He is leading the Indian delegation at the UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia.”
Earlier this month, the Ambassador visited the venue for COP17 with the resident diplomatic corps.
The 17th session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP17) is being held in Ulaanbaatar from August 17 to 28 under the theme “Restoring Land, Rebuilding Hope.”
According to the UNCCD, representatives from 197 member countries, along with leaders from government, business, and civil society, scientists, youth, indigenous peoples, pastoralists, and smallholder farmers are expected to participate in COP17.
They will collaborate to find solutions to interconnected challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and drought. The discussions will also emphasize the importance of restoring land to reduce instability in vulnerable areas, prevent displacement, and enhance humanitarian and national security.
COP17 is being held during the “United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists” (IYRP 2026), as declared by the United Nations General Assembly and supported by Mongolia.
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