1 week ago
India’s Environment Minister Arrives in Mongolia for UNCCD COP17
Bhupender Yadav is India’s environment minister.
He traveled to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to attend a major United Nations meeting.
The meeting is called COP17 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Countries are discussing how to repair damaged land and manage drought.
India plans to talk about keeping land healthy and restoring ecosystems.
The meeting is being held from August 17 to 28, 2026.
Governments, scientists, farmers, young people and other groups are taking part.
The meeting’s theme is “Restoring Land.
Restoring Hope.”
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav arrived in Ulaanbaatar on August 23, 2026, for UNCCD COP17.
Yadav said India will present its position on land degradation neutrality and ecological restoration.
The minister is leading India’s delegation at the conference hosted by Mongolia from August 17 to 28.
The conference theme is “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
COP17 is bringing together representatives from 197 UNCCD parties to address desertification, land degradation and drought.
- Who
- Bhupender Yadav, leading India’s delegation, and representatives from the 197 parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
- What
- Participation in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
- Where
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- When
- Yadav arrived on August 23, 2026; the conference runs from August 17 to 28, 2026.
- Why
- To discuss desertification, land degradation and drought, while presenting India’s positions on land degradation neutrality and ecological restoration.
Key facts
- Minister
- Bhupender Yadav, India’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister
- Conference
- COP17 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- Location
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Dates
- August 17–28, 2026
- Theme
- “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
- Participation
- Delegates from the UNCCD’s 197 parties, along with government, business, civil society and scientific representatives
- India’s agenda
- Land degradation neutrality, ecological restoration and related issues
Quotes
Bhupender Yadav
India’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister
“Arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia today to participate in the ongoing COP17 of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD). Over the next few days, will be putting forth India’s position on achieving land degradation neutrality and the eco-restoration agenda and related issues on different forums and in bilateral meetings.”
thehansindia.com
Indian Embassy in Mongolia
India’s diplomatic mission in Mongolia
“On 23 August 2026, HE Mr Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador of India to Mongolia and Dr E. Odbayar, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia, welcomed HE Mr Bhupender Yadav, Hon'ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, who is leading the Indian delegation for UNCCD COP 17 in Mongolia.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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