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COP UNCCD

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The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) will participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to be held in Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026, as part of the Italian delegation coordinated by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).

The Conference will focus in particular on the role of pastoralism in safeguarding ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience, while enhancing food and water security for communities, with particular attention to areas most affected by drought, land degradation and desertification. These are also key priorities for Italian Development Cooperation, which, through AICS, supports initiatives in partner countries aimed at promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, climate change adaptation, soil conservation, the empowerment of rural communities and the development of resilient agropastoral systems.

Italy’s contribution will also be showcased through the Italy Virtual Pavilion, established by MASE in collaboration with MAECI, AICS and ISPRA, to present the expertise, experiences and initiatives of the Italian System in combating desertification and promoting the sustainable management of vulnerable landscapes.

AICS’s participation in the Conference reflects Italy’s national and international commitment, as reaffirmed by MASE on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated on 17 June. The 2026 edition was dedicated to the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.“, highlighting the vital role of rangelands in fostering climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, ensuring food security and preserving the cultural identity of pastoral and Indigenous communities.

UNCCD COP17 – Ulaanbaatar (17-28 August 2026)

  • Title: From Observation to Action: Innovations, Challenges and Opportunities for Monitoring Land Degradation and Desertification
  • Date and time: Monday 24 August 13.00 – 14.30 (UTC + 7)
  • Location: Room MET-01
  • Organizers: Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) with the partecipation of AICS, ISPRA, WFP, UNCCD, IUCN
  • Concept: This side event will examine how Earth observation technologies and innovative monitoring systems can support action against land degradation and desertification. Drawing on projects and operational experience, the session will highlight recent advances in soil health monitoring, remote sensing and field-based approaches, with a focus on practical tools for evidence-based decision-making, restoration planning and sustainable land management.
  • Title: Pastoralism and knowledge systems
  • Date and time: Wednesday 26 August – 16.30-18.00 (UTC +7)
  • Location: Room MET-23
  • Organizers: The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with the collaboration of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
  • Concept: This event, part of the official agenda of the Land and People Day, will foster dialogue among development cooperation actors, scientific institutions, international organizations and African stakeholders on how Earth observation and artificial intelligence can support pastoral resilience, transforming climate data into usable knowledge for anticipatory warning, early action and sustainable dryland livelihoods.

UNCCD COP16 – Riyadh (2–14 December 2024)

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) participated in the COP 16 in Riyadh alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) with three side events. These events aimed, from various perspectives, to analyze innovative solutions and strategic collaborations to address challenges such as soil degradation, drought, and desertification, while promoting climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

The first event, titled “Nexus Approaches and Source-to-Sea Management: Tools to Strengthen the Convention’s Efforts for Sustainable Land Management”, was scheduled for December 3rd at 3:30 PM. It explored cross-sectoral strategies such as the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus and the “source-to-sea” approach to halt land degradation and promote land restoration. The panel discussed practical examples of sustainable management and cross-border cooperation to enhance climate resilience, prevent conflicts, and optimize resource use.

On December 10th at 6:00 PM, the side event “If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together: A Proverb Inspiring Drought Resilience in Africa” took place. Guided by this African proverb, the panel of experts addressed the theme of collective action to strengthen resilience against natural disasters. The event presented progress in the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) and opportunities provided by the Mattei Plan to accelerate investments. The goal was to foster a forward-looking dialogue on key topics such as monitoring, early warning, and capacity building to tackle droughts and floods in the continent most vulnerable to extreme climate events.

On December 11th at 3:30 PM, the event “Turning Good Intentions into Actions and Degradation into Restoration: 40 Years of Progress in Combating Desertification in Niger – What’s Next?” delved into the evolution of the fight against desertification in the Sahel, starting with the Keita Project (Niger) from the 1980s to new strategies promoted by Italian Cooperation. The event analyzed technical, social, institutional, and gender-related factors that have influenced the effectiveness of initiatives to prevent soil loss. The discussion engaged government institutions, academics, and international experts with the aim of strengthening actions to reverse desertification and transform intentions into concrete actions.

Last update: 05/08/2026, 15:01