Saudi Arabia to Hand Over COP Presidency to Mongolia at UNCCD COP17

Saudi Arabia will participate in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), set to take place in Mongolia from August 17–28, 2026, and will hand over the COP presidency to Mongolia upon the conclusion of its current term. This transition, announced by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), marks the culmination of Riyadh’s presidency, which began with the historic COP16 session held in December 2024.

Context and Background

The COP16 conference, hosted by Riyadh in December 2024, was a landmark event that brought together 197 parties and resulted in the adoption of 39 decisions. It successfully mobilized over $12 billion for land restoration and drought resilience initiatives, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. During its presidency, Saudi Arabia launched several flagship international initiatives, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP), the Riyadh Agenda, comprising more than 100 initiatives, and the International Initiative for Early Warning of Sand and Dust Storms.

Key Details

At COP17 in Mongolia, Saudi Arabia will showcase the most significant achievements and initiatives from its presidency, highlighting its leadership in environmental stewardship. The Kingdom’s participation will emphasize its efforts in protecting ecosystems, expanding vegetation cover, and combating desertification, as well as the importance of strengthening international cooperation to accelerate land restoration and enhance drought resilience. With over 40 side events held during its presidency, Saudi Arabia has consistently engaged stakeholders and promoted sustainable land management practices.

Implications and Impact

The handover to Mongolia comes at a critical time when global attention is focused on land degradation and its socio-economic impacts. Saudi Arabia’s presidency has set a benchmark for ambitious action, and its initiatives are expected to continue influencing global policy frameworks. By supporting Mongolia’s upcoming presidency, Saudi Arabia underscores its commitment to multilateral cooperation and knowledge-sharing, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling desertification and drought—issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable regions, including the Middle East and Africa.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This seamless transition and ongoing engagement with the UNCCD align directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes environmental sustainability as a key pillar of national development. Through initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, the Kingdom is actively working to increase vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, and protect biodiversity. By championing international cooperation on land restoration, Saudi Arabia reinforces its role as a global leader in sustainability and its dedication to leaving a lasting environmental legacy for future generations.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the upcoming conference in Mongolia?

A1. The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will be held in Mongolia from August 17–28, 2026, focusing on global efforts to combat desertification and land degradation.

Q2. Who will take over the presidency of COP after Saudi Arabia?

A2. Mongolia will assume the presidency of the Conference of the Parties following Saudi Arabia’s term, symbolized by the official handover during COP17.

Q3. What is the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP)?

A3. The Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership is a major international initiative launched by Saudi Arabia during its COP16 presidency to enhance global cooperation in building resilience against drought and mitigating its impacts.

Q4. How many initiatives does the Riyadh Agenda include?

A4. The Riyadh Agenda comprises more than 100 initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable land management, combating desertification, and ensuring a more sustainable future for all.

Q5. What is the International Initiative for Early Warning of Sand and Dust Storms?

A5. This initiative, introduced by Saudi Arabia, focuses on developing early warning systems to mitigate the adverse effects of sand and dust storms on health, livelihoods, and economies.

Q6. In which year did Saudi Arabia host COP16?

A6. Saudi Arabia hosted the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in December 2024 in Riyadh.

Q7. How many parties participated in the COP16 conference?

A7. A total of 197 parties participated in COP16, showcasing the global commitment to addressing desertification and drought.

Q8. How many decisions were adopted at COP16?

A8. During COP16, a total of 39 decisions were adopted, covering various aspects of land restoration and sustainable land management.

Q9. How much funding was mobilized at COP16?

A9. Over $12 billion was mobilized during COP16 to support land restoration and drought resilience projects globally.

Q10. How many side events did Saudi Arabia host during its presidency?

A10. Saudi Arabia hosted more than 40 side events during its COP16 presidency, emphasizing environmental protection and sustainable practices.

Q11. What is the primary mission of the UNCCD?

A11. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) aims to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through international cooperation, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s environmental goals.

Q12. How does Saudi Arabia’s presidency reflect its Vision 2030 goals?

A12. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in COP16 and its initiatives align with Vision 2030’s sustainability pillars, such as the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to boost vegetation and protect ecosystems.

Q13. What are the dates of the COP17 meeting in Mongolia?

A13. COP17 will take place from August 17 to 28, 2026, in Mongolia.

Q14. What is the significance of the handover to Mongolia?

A14. The handover signifies continuity in global efforts to combat desertification, with Saudi Arabia passing the baton to Mongolia to build on momentum and foster further international collaboration.

Q15. What is the Saudi Green Initiative?

A15. The Saudi Green Initiative is a national project under Vision 2030 aimed at planting 10 billion trees, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting marine and terrestrial environments, contributing to global climate action.

Q16. How does Saudi Arabia support early warning systems for dust storms?

A16. Saudi Arabia’s initiative for early warning of sand and dust storms promotes the development of advanced monitoring and alert systems to reduce risks to health and infrastructure.

Q17. What is the Riyadh Agenda?

A17. The Riyadh Agenda is a comprehensive set of over 100 initiatives launched by Saudi Arabia to drive action on land restoration, drought resilience, and sustainable development.

Q18. Why is COP17 in Mongolia important?

A18. COP17 will build on COP16 outcomes, and Mongolia’s presidency will focus on strengthening global partnerships and advancing practical solutions for land degradation and drought.

Q19. What was Saudi Arabia’s role at COP16?

A19. Saudi Arabia hosted COP16 and presided over the conference, successfully securing commitments and major funding for land restoration, reflecting the Kingdom’s global environmental leadership.

Q20. How will Saudi Arabia continue to contribute after the handover?

A20. Even after handing over the presidency, Saudi Arabia will continue collaborating with international partners through its initiatives, such as RGDRP, to ensure sustained global action against desertification.

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