What: AfDB to participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17)
Who: African Development Bank, UNCCD and partners
When: 17-28 August 2026
Where: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The African Development Bank Group will participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme "Restoring Land. Restoring Hope."
A delegation the conference will be led by Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth, who together with experts from across the institution will advance Africa's priorities on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable land management.
The delegates will showcase the leadership of the Bank Group in mobilising finance for resilient landscapes, supporting the Great Green Wall Initiative and promoting innovative financing solutions that translate restoration commitments into bankable investments. The Bank will also co-host the Great Green Wall Pavilion, providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and partnership-building around Africa's flagship land restoration initiative.
In addition, the delegation will participate in a series of high-level events, ministerial meetings and bilateral engagements with governments, regional institutions, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, development partners, the private sector and civil society to strengthen collaboration and accelerate sustainable land management across Africa.
Key engagements
Media opportunities
African Development Bank Group representatives will be available for interviews and media engagements on topics including:
- The Great Green Wall Initiative and landscape restoration;
- Drought resilience and climate adaptation;
- Innovative finance and investment for sustainable land management;
- Nature finance and resilient food systems;
- The Bank Group's partnerships and operations supporting Africa's land restoration agenda.
The African Development Bank Group's participation at COP17 underscores its commitment to working with governments, regional institutions, development partners and the private sector to transform restoration ambitions into scalable investments that strengthen resilience, protect natural capital and support sustainable development across Africa.
For more information check our Desertification and Land Degradation webpage:
https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/topics/desertification-and-land-degradation
