Ulaanbaatar, September 20, 2023 /MONTSAME/. The President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh, who is participating in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, met with Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Ibrahim Thiaw on September 19, 2023.
Noting that desertification is a problem not only for Mongolia but also for North East Asia, the President of Mongolia thanked for the support for the decision to hold the 17th Conference of the Parties to UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar in 2026. The Presidentunderscored that Mongolia attaches great importance to the Conference and has been preparing for it a head of time.
At the 15th Conference of the Parties to UNCCD held last year in Abidjan, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Mongolia was approved to host the 17th Conference in 2026 for respecting the reputation and strengthening Mongolia’s leadership and active efforts in combatting desertification and protecting the nature.
During the meeting the President of Mongolia and the UNCCD Executive Secretary exchanged views on cooperation in adhering scientifically based approach in issues such as creation of forest strips, increasing soil fertility, planting trees in arid and semi-arid regions, and stopping the migration of sand and establishing a capacity-building platform and complex research center for the introduction of environmentally friendly advanced. The parties emphasized the importance of afforestation and environmental rehabilitation in reducing the effects of climate change, desertification, dust storms, and soil degradation.
Executive Secretary Ibrahim Tiaw noted that the Secretariat of the Convention will cooperate, providing all-round support and methodical advice in organizing the 17th Conference of the Parties in Ulaanbaatar. He emphasized that the UNCCD is vital not only for combating desertification, but also for the prevention from land and water degradation, protection of pastures and preservation of pastoralism.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw will visit Mongolia in 2024.
