COP17 in Mongolia: Finding solutions to land degradation

The world's top minds are gathering in Mongolia to tackle land degradation, but progress is slow. The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is underway in Mongolia. The conference aims to find solutions to land degradation, a critical issue affecting global food security and biodiversity.

The urgency is underscored by a recent report indicating that countries are falling far short of their pledges to restore damaged land. This shortfall is particularly concerning given the increasing frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires, which are economically and environmentally devastating. The Landscape Alliance has launched new online courses to strengthen skills for landscape restoration across Africa.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to address land degradation, which is a pressing global issue. The conference in Mongolia brings together experts and policymakers to discuss and implement strategies for land restoration. The gathering in Mongolia is a significant step towards addressing the planet's soil crisis, but the slow progress in meeting restoration pledges raises questions about the effectiveness of current approaches.