ULAANBAATAR (August 29, 2026) — The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar concluded with the announcement of a $1.3 billion finance portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience, including $644.5 million identified as new finance.Countries did not reach agreement on a global drought framework, with negotiations set to continue at COP18. Held during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, COP17 also placed a major focus on rangelands and pastoralist communities. Following is a statement from Susan Chomba, Director of Vital Landscapes, WRI Africa: ‘COP17 opened as disaster after disaster unfolded around the world. Drought is drying up water supplies, fueling wildfires and leaving families with failed harvests and fewer ways to make ends meet. The test in Ulaanbaatar was whether countries could get ahead of these crises, rather than keep scrambling to respond after the damage is done. ‘Drought was one of the defining issues, but countries still stopped short of a stronger global framework to address it. Drought may hit locally, but its impacts on food, water and economies can quickly cross borders. Stronger preparedness and cooperation will be essential – and increasingly urgent. ‘Pastoralists finally received overdue recognition as essential stewards of the world’s rangelands, drawing on generations of knowledge about changing seasons and scarce water. Research shows that rangelands are far less likely to be converted where Indigenous Peoples and local communities have secure land rights. Any credible plan to protect and restore rangelands must recognize their rights and put their knowledge at its core. ‘The $1.3 billion portfolio for land restoration and drought resilience is welcome, but it is still a fraction of an estimated $278 billion annual financing gap. And too much of that finance has yet to reach the ground. Now the focus has to be on getting money into the communities and landscapes that need it most. ‘The true measure of COP17 will be whether families are safer when the next shock comes, with water to rely on, food on the table and land that can keep sustaining them. With El Niño intensifying, every delay leaves people more exposed.’