The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) will participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), scheduled to take place from 17 to 28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Held under the theme “Restore Land. Restore Hope.”, the conference represents a major opportunity to strengthen global action against desertification, land degradation and the impacts of drought.
Through its participation, the AfDB seeks to advance Africa’s priorities in land restoration, sustainable natural resource management and strengthening the resilience of communities and territories to climate change.
The Bank’s delegation will be led by Anthony Nyong, Director of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department. He will be accompanied by experts from the institution who will contribute to discussions on ways to mobilize greater financial resources for land restoration and climate resilience in Africa.
During COP17, the AfDB Group will highlight its role in mobilizing finance for resilient landscapes. The institution will also promote innovative financing mechanisms capable of turning land restoration commitments into concrete, bankable projects and investments.
Particular attention will be given to the Great Green Wall, Africa’s flagship initiative aimed at restoring degraded lands, strengthening community livelihoods and combating the effects of desertification.
In this context, the AfDB will co-host the Great Green Wall Pavilion, which will serve as a platform for dialogue, experience sharing and partnership building around this pan-African initiative.
The Bank’s delegation will also participate in several high-level events, ministerial meetings and bilateral discussions with governments, regional institutions, multilateral development banks, United Nations agencies, technical and financial partners, the private sector and civil society organizations.
The AfDB’s COP17 agenda includes several key events focusing on land restoration finance, climate resilience and the Great Green Wall.
On 17 August, the Bank will participate in an event focusing on financing land restoration to strengthen resilience and stability in fragile and conflict-affected settings, at Room MET05.
On 18 August, discussions will continue during the interactive session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 24), focusing on resource mobilization.
On 19 August, discussions will address gender equality, women’s land rights and social inclusion, followed by an event on mobilizing investment to accelerate implementation of the Great Green Wall and the role of the African Development Bank.
On 20 August, the Great Green Wall Pavilion will host a meeting focusing on how partnerships and investments can provide fresh momentum to the initiative.
On 24 August, during Finance Day, the AfDB will participate in several strategic meetings. These will include an event dedicated to restoring African landscapes and financing resilience.
A high-level side event will also examine ways to scale up the Great Green Wall through continental integration and the African Union Great Green Wall Strategy 2024–2034.
Discussions will also focus on mobilizing sustainable finance for resilient landscapes, with particular emphasis on the role of multilateral development banks and investment solutions that can be deployed at scale.
A roundtable will bring together financial partners to discuss the future of land restoration finance.
On 25 August, Resilience Day will feature the launch of the Drought Resilience Investment Fund (DRIF).
The AfDB will also contribute to discussions on the UNCCD’s comprehensive approach to drought management.
On 27 August, Food Systems and Soil Health Day will provide an opportunity to discuss the financing mechanisms required to strengthen resilient food systems. The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security will also be presented at the Action Dome.
The AfDB’s participation also provides an opportunity for media representatives to engage directly with the Bank’s officials on several strategic issues for Africa.
Interviews may focus in particular on the Great Green Wall and landscape restoration; drought resilience and climate change adaptation; innovative financing and investment for sustainable land management; nature finance; resilient food systems; as well as partnerships and AfDB Group operations supporting Africa’s priorities.
Through its participation in COP17, the African Development Bank Group is reaffirming its commitment to working with governments, regional institutions, development partners and the private sector to transform land restoration ambitions into large-scale investments.
For Africa, where land degradation, drought and the impacts of climate change are undermining the livelihoods of millions of people, the challenge is now to move from commitments to action by mobilizing sustainable financing capable of restoring ecosystems, protecting natural capital and strengthening the long-term resilience of territories.
Babaclimat – Journal Agropasteur