In the context of combating desertification.. Egypt enhances its presence in the United Nations Conference of States Parties COP17

The importance of combating desertification is increasing in light of the increasing pressures climate change and land degradation impose on food and water security and the livelihoods of communities, which makes the sustainable management of natural resources and the restoration of degraded lands priorities that require continued international cooperation and coordination between various parties. In this context, international efforts are highlighted aimed at confronting desertification and drought and enhancing the ability of countries to manage their resources efficiently, in a way that supports sustainable development paths and preserves resources for future generations.

Egypt continues to play an active role in supporting international and regional cooperation in this field, through its participation in the relevant forums.Confronting land degradation and drought, and presenting visions that support the integration of efforts, expanding the scope of partnerships, and providing financing and technology to developing countries.

This role comes within the framework of a broader trend towards enhancing the sustainability of land and natural resources, and increasing resilience to environmental and climate challenges, in line with the goals of sustainable development and enhancing food and water security at the national and international levels.

Egypt supports international efforts to combat drought

In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation continues to support Egypt’s efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable management of land and natural resources, as Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation issued a decision to form a team of experts from the Desert Research Center to participate in the work of the seventeenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention.To Combat Desertification (COP17), which will be held in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, from August 17 to 28, 2026.

The Egyptian participation comes as an affirmation of Egypt’s support for the efforts of the international community aimed at promoting sustainable land management, restoring degraded lands, and confronting the challenges associated with drought, which contributes to enhancing the ability of countries and societies to withstand and achieve sustainable development, and supports international efforts aimed at protecting terrestrial ecosystems and preserving natural resources, in line with the objectives of the fifteenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

High-level meetings to promote land sustainability

The Egyptian delegation will participate in the high-level meetings scheduled to be held during the second week of the conference, which will witnessDiscussions on a number of key issues and themes related to combating land degradation and drought and promoting sustainable management of natural resources.

In light of the importance of these meetings and the issues they address directly related to the future of lands and natural resources, The Earth Guards Foundation is preparing to shed light on the work of the high-level meetings and their discussions, based on its role in spreading awareness of sustainable development issues, and enhancing knowledge of environmental and climate challenges and ways to deal with them.

Strengthening international cooperation to combat desertification

In order to enhance its effective role in supporting international and regional efforts to confront land degradation and drought, Egypt participated in the preparatory meetings of the African Group, which were held during the period from 14 to 16 August 2026 in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, in addition to undertakingIt plays a pivotal role in coordinating Arab positions on issues of combating desertification and biodiversity, thus enhancing its presence in negotiation processes and supporting common visions towards environmental and development challenges.

The Arab Republic of Egypt stressed, during its national speech at the opening of the conference, delivered by the representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the need for the conference outcomes to focus on moving from the stage of commitments to actual implementation and achieving measurable results, while providing the necessary means of implementation, especially financing, technology transfer and capacity building, in order to enable developing countries to confront environmental and development challenges efficiently and effectively.

Egypt also stressed the importance of the drought issue, and the need to strengthen international cooperation to reduce its risks, and support preparedness, early warning and risk management systems, while continuing efforts aimed at strengthening an international framework for policies related to drought, includingIt responds to the needs of the most affected countries and communities, in line with the climate action objectives within Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Egypt leads international efforts to confront desertification

Egypt, during its national and Arab speeches at the conference’s proceedings, stressed the importance of bridging the financing gap necessary to restore lands and enhance resilience, calling for expanding partnerships between governments, international financial institutions and the private sector, and facilitating developing countries’ access to the financial and technological resources necessary to implement their national programs, in a way that enhances the opportunities for achieving more comprehensive and sustainable development, and supports the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is based on strengthening international partnerships and expanding the means of implementing them.

She also paid special attention to the filePastures and pastoralists, stressing the importance of sustainable management of land and natural resources as a fundamental pillar for achieving food and water security, protecting livelihoods, and supporting sustainable development efforts, with the importance of enhancing cooperation and integration between the Rio agreements, in a way that supports an integrated approach to confronting the challenges of land degradation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity, and enhances food and water security and resilience.

This is directly related to efforts aimed at eliminating hunger and promoting sustainable management of water and natural resources, within the framework of the second and sixth goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In its capacity as Chairman of the Arab Group, Egypt affirmed the legitimate rights of peoples to exploit their natural resources, and stressed the importance of not using water and food in the context of conflicts, in accordance with the relevant rules of international law, in addition toEnsuring the security and stability of food supply chains in light of conflicts and environmental disasters.

The continuity of the Egyptian role in combating desertification

Egypt renewed its commitment to continuing its constructive role in supporting multilateral action, enhancing international and regional cooperation, and contributing to achieving the goals of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, reaching ambitious and practical results that benefit peoples and future generations.

It is worth noting that Egypt’s participation in the work of COP17 comes within the framework of its preparations to host the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) (COP18) in 2028, in a way that enhances the continuity of its role in international efforts to confront land degradation and drought, and support paths of sustainable development and resilience.

In conclusion, Egyptian participation in COP17 confirms that combating desertification has become part of the equationBroader issues related to food and water security, sustainable livelihoods, and the ability of countries to withstand drought and resource degradation. From this standpoint, Egyptian movements gain importance beyond participating in an international conference, to contributing to the formulation of more integrated approaches linking finance, technology, regional cooperation, and actual implementation on the ground.

Earth Defenders Foundation confirms that Egypt’s readiness to host COP18 in 2028 supports its responsibility to support the international debate to continue pushing towards practical, implementable results, which enhances the sustainability of lands and natural resources, gives the issues of communities most affected by drought and land degradation a greater space in the international work process, and opens the way for partnerships. More able to transform environmental commitments into tangible and sustainable impact.