Australia attended the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026.
The theme was 'Restoring Land, Restoring Hope'. Representatives from 197 countries attended the conference. This included:
- government representatives
- Indigenous Peoples
- scientists
- land holders and pastoralists
- youth, women farmers and businesses.
Representatives agreed to over 20 decisions on:
- ways to protect and restore land
- ways to improve land tenure
- issues relating to rangelands, and sand and dust storms.
Decisions also covered the budget, programme of work, science and resource mobilisation.
Australia joined a high-level event about the new Indigenous Peoples Caucus. The caucus allows Indigenous Peoples to engage directly with the Convention. The event explored how Indigenous Peoples can strengthen their participation in land restoration efforts through the UNCCD.
At the event, Australia highlighted our:
- Indigenous Protected Areas program
- Indigenous Ranger program.
These programs show the benefits of First Nations-led programs that care for Country.
Australia supported the decision to create the Indigenous Peoples Caucus at COP16 and engaged with the Caucus at COP17. Australia also provided funding to support consultations on the terms of reference led by Indigenous Peoples in different regions.
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- Indigenous Protected Areas
- Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) | NIAA
