Towards COP17: Urban and Rural Synergies for Water Resilience in Mongolia

As COP17 draws global attention to climate resilience, this platform will showcase current Mongolian efforts and discuss transferable tools and innovations with UK water experts. The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme of “Restoring Land, Reporting Hope.”

This virtual panel will convene policymakers, researchers and practitioners to explore Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) strategies that can reinforce water security and drive sustainable development across both urban and rural settings in the Tuul River Basin. The event will spotlight current initiatives and discuss broader themes, including desertification, river restoration and land stewardship.

The dialogue will support COP17’s emphasis on land-water linkages and integrated catchment-scale adaptation, while also aligning with Mongolia’s priorities around rangeland restoration, pastoralist livelihoods and carbon monitoring. As 2026 marks the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), declared by the UN and championed by Mongolia, the event will also reflect the country’s commitment to inclusive governance, Indigenous and community-led approaches, and the mobilisation of financial and technical resources for long-term resilience.

H.E.Battumur Enkhsukh, Mongolian Ambassador to the UK, will provide opening remarks and touch on the Government of Mongolia's "Steppe Action Agenda" for COP17. Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa from UNESCO will share a broader view of water management in cities, the impact of desertification on water pressure, and mitigation efforts. Dr Maki Tsujimura from the University of Tsukuba will explore the Tuul River Basin ICM, including groundwater depletion and recharge processes. Dr Dorjsuren Dechinlkhundev from MCA-Mongolia will explore alternative solutions to water issues in Ulaanbaatar, drawing on policy-driven solutions and wastewater recycling. Finally, Jamie Hannaford from UKCEH will share perspectives from the UK, including solutions and policies that could be applied in Mongolia.