EU Joint Research Centre · Health

EU Calls for Global Action on Drought and Desertification Ahead of UNCCD COP17

As Europe grapples with increasing heat, water scarcity, and drought, the European Union is urging for enhanced global efforts to restore degraded land, bolster drought resilience, and safeguard water resources. This call comes in anticipation of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), themed ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,’ scheduled for August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The conference will convene governments, scientists, civil society, businesses, and Indigenous Peoples to tackle the intertwined issues of desertification, land degradation, and drought. Europe is experiencing accelerated warming, leading to heightened pressure on water supplies, agriculture, energy, river transport, and ecosystems due to extreme heat and prolonged low rainfall.

EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall emphasized the immediate threat of drought and water scarcity, stating, "This summer is another powerful reminder that drought and water scarcity are not distant threats. They are already threatening lives, health, economies and ecosystems in the EU and beyond. We need to move from managing drought emergencies to building resilience before crises hit. Restoring land, protecting ecosystems and managing water sustainably are essential parts of that effort."

At COP17, the EU aims to accelerate the implementation of the UNCCD by 2030 and beyond, and to strengthen global commitments to land degradation neutrality and drought resilience. A key focus will be shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive drought risk management and resilience, involving investments in preparedness, early warning systems, risk reduction, and sustainable land and water management.

The EU also seeks to foster stronger cooperation across the international environmental agenda, particularly in 2026, a significant year for multilateral environmental cooperation. This includes aligning efforts with the UNFCCC and CBD, as well as the UN Water Conference, to promote synergies across land, water, biodiversity, and climate action.

Through its Global Gateway initiative, the EU is supporting sustainable investments to combat land degradation and build resilience globally, showcasing projects like Africa’s Great Green Wall. The EU also backs global knowledge and early-warning systems, utilizing tools like Copernicus satellite data to monitor drought conditions.

Desertification, climate change, and biodiversity loss are identified as major challenges to sustainable development. Healthy land is crucial for food production, biodiversity, water security, and livelihoods, while degraded land is more susceptible to drought and extreme weather, potentially leading to instability, poverty, conflict, and migration.

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