24 August 2026: The High-Level Segment of UNCCD COP17 began today, 24 August 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, bringing together Ministers and senior representatives from across the world to advance action on land degradation, desertification and drought.
At the first Ministerial Dialogue on “Innovative Financial Mechanisms for Healthy Land and Drought Resilience,” Bhutan highlighted the vital role of rangelands in sustaining livelihoods, biodiversity, water, food security and cultural heritage, and called for pastoralists to be recognised as partners, custodians and decision-makers.
The Hon’ble Minister also joined the launch of the High-Level Rangelands Flagship Initiative alongside Ministers and representatives from Botswana, Mongolia, Uruguay, Bolivia, Kenya and the Republic of Peru, calling for stronger investment and practical action to build resilient rangelands and secure the future of pastoral communities.
On the sidelines, the Hon’ble Minister met with H.E. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India. The meeting reaffirmed Bhutan and India’s strong and enduring partnership in conservation, forestry and agriculture, with a focus on transboundary wildlife conservation, technical cooperation and knowledge exchange.
