The UNCCD COP17 Mayors' Forum, held from 20 to 22 August 2026 in the Blue Zone of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, brings city leaders into the heart of the global response to land degradation, desertification, drought and water scarcity.
Hosted by the Governor's Office of the Capital City of Ulaanbaatar and co-organized by the UNCCD Secretariat, UN-Habitat and ICLEI, the Forum convenes mayors, local and regional governments, international organizations, city networks, finance actors and researchers from around the world. Building on earlier mayors' forums in Bonn, Rome, Ordos and Riyadh, it offers a dedicated space for policy dialogue, technical exchange and city-to-city cooperation on sustainable land management, urban-rural linkages, green infrastructure and climate resilience.
Participants will work toward a joint Ulaanbaatar Declaration, to be presented at the COP17 High-Level Segment, and open discussions on establishing the Forum as a lasting cooperation mechanism within the UNCCD process, strengthening the role of local and regional governments in addressing the land and water challenges that shape urban futures.
You can find the agenda here.
How to register: Download and complete the registration form. Each city or state delegation should complete a form. It can be submitted directly to [email protected], cc: [email protected]
20 - 22 August 2026
23 July 2026
UNCCD COP17 Mayors’ Forum
