Future of Rangelands Discussed at COP17 Summit in Ulaanbaatar
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The COP17 Summit in Ulaanbaatar addressed the degradation of rangelands, which constitute 40% of the world's terrestrial area, and a 94% financing gap in restoration budgets.
Critical Soil Summit Held in Ulaanbaatar
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 meeting, themed "Restoring Soil, Growing Hope," was held in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, between August 17-28. The summit brought together representatives from 197 signatory countries, heads of state, ministers, and scientists. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada highlighted the source of the solution with these words:
"within us, outside us, beside us, in you, in me"
The organization, which also featured an active presence from the Turkish Pavilion, hosted high-level discussions on the future of soil and methods for combating drought.
Rangeland Degradation and Financing Gap
According to data shared at the summit, rangelands, which make up 40% of the world's land and are the primary source of livelihood for 500 million people, are undergoing a severe degradation process. This situation directly threatens global food security, water resources, and economic stability. To draw attention to the issue's importance, the United Nations has declared 2026 the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." Rangeland researcher Jonathan Davies emphasized the critical role of rangelands in his assessment:
"rangelands cannot be left blank on the investment map, because they mean food security."
However, while trillions of dollars are needed for rangeland restoration, current global financing covers only 6% of the required budget.
The Journey of the Silk Road Shepherd Caravan
The Silk Road Caravan project, initiated under the leadership of UNCCD, began in Riyadh and reached Ulaanbaatar, following a route of approximately 6,000 kilometers. The caravan, traveling through Turkey, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, brought together shepherds, researchers, and local communities. The caravan, which made stops in Antalya and Erzurum in Turkey, brought the traditional rangeland management experiences of ancient nomadic communities like the Sarıkeçililer to the summit. Additionally, it was recalled that a shepherd festival was recently organized in Kars, Turkey, with the participation of FAO Turkey Representative Dr. Ayşegül Selışık.
Global Awareness Steps in Soil Restoration
Innovative awareness projects were launched within the scope of COP17 to prevent land degradation and increase drought resilience. The Sport4Land campaign, initiated during the Paris 2024 Olympics period, aimed to leverage the impact of athletes on society. These initiatives, supported by international athletes such as Moroccan judoka Asmaa Niang, demonstrated that rangeland restoration is a shared responsibility not only for producers but for all segments of society. Throughout the summit sessions, the establishment of new financing mechanisms was emphasized to accelerate rangeland restoration.