Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) from August 17 to 28, where the General Secretariat of the Middle East Green Initiative is scheduled to participate.
According to SPA, the initiative will use its first participation in the conference to showcase efforts to restore degraded land, combat desertification, and enhance regional environmental cooperation.
The initiative will highlight the work of its 35 regional member states in addressing climate change, land degradation, and desertification. A primary target includes planting approximately 50 billion trees, which is equivalent to restoring 200 million hectares of degraded land across these member states.
Eng. Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary-General of the Middle East Green Initiative, stated that participating in UNCCD COP17 provides an opportunity to reaffirm the determination of member states to strengthen land restoration and combat desertification in the region.
The initiative aims to boost partnerships with the UNCCD and other international, regional, and scientific organizations, as well as the private sector and civil society. It seeks to translate environmental targets into practical projects and enhance dialogue with both regional and non-regional countries.
Where and when is UNCCD COP17 taking place? The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) is scheduled to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The event will take place from August 17 to August 28, 2026, and will feature the first participation of the Middle East Green Initiative.
What are the primary environmental targets of the Middle East Green Initiative? The initiative aims to plant approximately 50 billion trees across its 35 regional member states. This effort is equivalent to the restoration of 200 million hectares of degraded land as part of its work to combat desertification and climate change.
What does the Middle East Green Initiative hope to achieve at COP17? The initiative seeks to showcase practical regional solutions and translate environmental targets into practical programs and projects. It also aims to boost partnerships with the UNCCD, international organizations, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations.