The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16) is taking place in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, on December 2-13, 2024.

As designated Chair of the next Conference (COP17 in Mongolia), Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene participated as a guest of honor in the Opening Ceremony of the UNCCD COP 16 and made opening remarks.

The COP 16, themed "Our Land, Our Future," will address various issues, including the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the goal of combating desertification and land degradation, restoring degraded land and soils by 2030, responding to drought and desertification, sustainable food production, women's land rights, youth participation, and job creation.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene emphasized the critical need to resolve the challenges posed by climate change, desertification, and land degradation. In this crucial time, Premier Oyun-Erdene urged the Convention’s Parties to strengthen political leadership, unity, and mutual understanding and to make bold decisions for our shared future. The Premier then presented the policies and actions that the Government of Mongolia is implementing to mitigate desertification and land degradation.

The Head of the Mongolian Government stated, “Climate change and desertification affects every country and the daily lives of its citizens. According to a UN study, the frequency of natural disasters occurring in Mongolia has doubled in the past 20 years. For example, last year, snowfall in Mongolia reached a record high in the past five decades, causing a severe dzud that killed off millions of livestock, while the previous summer saw floods not seen in over 50 years. Each day, we are witnessing and experiencing such examples in every country. Our land is our future. Therefore, this Conference is being organized under the theme "Our Land-Our Future." In order to protect the land, which is the future of humanity, we must stand together for each other, as the situation demands. Challenges of climate change, desertification, and the pandemic have reminded us to be "One For All, All For One." Therefore, we call for the upcoming conference to be held under the theme "One For All, All For One."

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene noted that Mongolia is proposing the establishment of the “International Association on Sustainable Pasturelands For the Future” during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which will be held in Mongolia. The Premier expressed gratitude for approving the Resolution to designate 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists during the United Nations General Assembly in 2022.

The Premier underlined that the Government of Mongolia is partnering with countries and international organizations in taking measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and introduce renewable energy in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Prime Minister noted that Mongolia planted 84 million trees and stockpiled 64 million saplings as part of the “Billion Trees” National Movement initiated by the President of Mongolia, which is considered as a good practice internationally.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene stressed that implementing major renewable energy projects is crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, the Head of Government noted that Mongolia is also focusing on clean energy transition, investing in renewable energy production, and implementing major reforms in the tax system, and invited governments, investors, and the private sector to collaborate in these projects.

As the designated host country of the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Mongolia reaffirmed its commitment to addressing drought, desertification, land degradation, and environmental protection and to actively cooperate with other participating countries. The Prime Minister of Mongolia conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Conference and extended a formal invitation to participants and delegates of the Conference to attend COP17, to be hosted in Mongolia in 2026.

The Mongolian Delegation, headed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Odontuya Saldan, will continue to participate in the main events of the Conference.

The COP16 concurs with the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD and is also the biggest international event organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Notably, this Conference marks the first occasion of the event being held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.