The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar marked a significant shift, placing rangelands at the forefront of global land policy. Delegates launched the Rangelands Flagship Initiative with $1.2 billion across 45 projects, the largest financial mobilization for rangelands in the Convention’s history.
A broader finance package of $1.3 billion for land restoration and drought resilience was also unveiled, spanning 23 countries. This initiative includes $644.5 million in new finance, with $216.4 million already confirmed for implementation.
Economic analysis presented at the conference valued rangeland ecosystem services between $21-47 trillion annually. The event also introduced Phase II of the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO) and its Drought Resilience Index, designed to help countries assess and adapt to drought vulnerabilities.
Source: Down To Earth