AGP Executive Report

Desertification Update: Mongolia’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Sandag-Ochir Tsend presented an updated National Desertification Atlas to Cabinet, using satellite and GIS methods and adding new indicators for water scarcity and biodiversity degradation to guide UNCCD-aligned land protection. COP17 Cooperation: Mongolia’s state environment secretary thanked China for a $1m non-refundable grant for UNCCD COP17 and urged support for three Mongolian initiatives—Rangelands Flagship, Integrated Land and Water Management, and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure—plus a feasibility study for a China-Mongolia desertification prevention center. Winter Preparedness: Deputy PM Nomtoibayar Nyamtaishir toured all 21 aimags to check 2026–2027 winter readiness, covering hay and fodder, herder migration, livestock health, water, heating, fuel, roads, and disaster response capacity. ADB Leadership: The Asian Development Bank appointed John Juhyun Jeong as Mongolia Country Director, with priorities including diversified growth, sustainability and resilience, and expanded opportunity; Mongolia also expects a $130m education-sector loan agreement. Climate Pressure: A new global temperature report says July 2026 tied July 2024 as the hottest July on record—an extra warning for Mongolia’s already climate-stressed ecosystems. Steppe Action Agenda: Mongolia unveiled the “Steppe Action Agenda” for COP17, aiming to link desertification, climate, and biodiversity goals into one execution system. Wildlife Monitoring: Spain’s Fuente de Piedra flamingo chicks are being ringed and medically checked ahead of migration, helping track populations across borders.

COP17 Desertification Push: Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate says China’s $1m grant will back COP17 (UNCCD) preparations, with Mongolia proposing three initiatives—Rangelands Flagship, Integrated Land and Water Management, and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure—plus talks on a China-Mongolia desertification prevention and control cooperation center. Steppe Action Agenda: Mongolia also unveiled the “Steppe Action Agenda” to link land degradation, climate action, and biodiversity goals across UNCCD, UNFCCC, and CBD, aiming to fix fragmented implementation and financing gaps. ADB Leadership in Mongolia: The Asian Development Bank appointed John Juhyun Jeong as Mongolia Country Director, focusing on diversified growth, resilience, and expanding opportunity. Rangeland Knowledge Exchange: Mongolia hosts the Global Pastoralists Gathering and Conference with herders and delegates from 102 countries, including field trips across multiple aimags to discuss rangeland degradation, livelihoods, and climate impacts. Extreme Heat Reminder: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, underscoring the pressure on Mongolia’s steppe ecosystems. Wildfire Evacuation (context): A separate report from the Bald Range wildfire highlights how fast-moving flames can force last-minute animal evacuations—an echo of the risks Mongolia faces in hotter, drier conditions.

COP17 Desertification Push: Mongolia’s Environment and Climate State Secretary Batbayar Shurenchuluun met China’s chargé d’affaires Cao Li, thanking Beijing for a $1m grant to support UNCCD COP17 and urging cooperation on Mongolia’s three COP17 initiatives: the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, Integrated Land and Water Management, and Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure, plus talks on a China-Mongolia desertification prevention center. COP17 Policy Blueprint: Mongolia also unveiled the “Steppe Action Agenda,” aiming to link land degradation, climate action, and biodiversity loss across UNCCD, UNFCCC, and CBD with harmonized targets and faster implementation. Climate Alarm: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, with NOAA and NASA reporting record heat. Pastoral Knowledge Exchange: Mongolia hosted a Global Pastoralists Gathering and Conference with nearly 200 herders and delegates from 102 countries, focusing on rangelands, livelihoods, and climate-driven degradation. Energy & Air: A new 70 MW thermal power plant began initial commissioning in Selenge, with carbon chimneys described as environmentally friendlier tech. ADB Leadership: The Asian Development Bank appointed John Juhyun Jeong as its new Mongolia Country Director, starting Aug 10, to lead the 2025–2028 country partnership strategy. Rare Earth Pressure: China is expanding the Bayan Obo rare earth mine in Inner Mongolia by 50% with a $74m investment, boosting extraction and processing capacity for critical minerals. Wildlife Conservation Loss: Mongolia mourns Dr. Zamba Batjargal, former environment minister and climate focal point, who died Aug 6.

Rare Earth Pressure: China is expanding the Bayan Obo rare earth mine in Inner Mongolia by 50% with a $74 million investment, aiming to boost extraction and processing for high-tech supply chains. Extreme Weather Tech: China’s weather agency is rolling out domestically built AI models for typhoon monitoring and forecasting, with an international version tied to UN early-warning efforts that already lists Mongolia among users. Desertification in Action: Incheon’s “Forest of Hope” partnership is set to be showcased at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, reporting 157 hectares restored and 250,000+ drought-resistant trees planted since 2008. COP17 Diplomacy: Ambassadors and diplomatic missions visited the COP17 project site in Mongolia for a briefing led by Environment and Climate Change Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir. Energy Demand: Mongolia began initial testing for a new 70 MW thermal power plant in Selenge to ease electricity and winter heat shortages, with commissioning targeted for October. Pastoral Knowledge Exchange: Mongolia hosts the Global Pastoralists Gathering and Conference with delegates from 102 countries, focusing on rangeland degradation, climate change, and livelihoods. Loss to Climate Leadership: Mongolia mourns Batjargal Zamba, former Environment Minister and meteorology expert, who died Aug. 6.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia is gearing up for UNCCD COP17 (Aug 17–28) with diplomatic briefings at the project site, as Environment and Climate Change Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir pushes alignment across the Rio Conventions and coordination with COP31. Desertification push: The Middle East Green Initiative says it will showcase regional land restoration plans at COP17, including nature-based solutions and a goal of planting about 50 billion trees. Rangeland restoration on the move: The Silk Road Caravan has entered Mongolia, traveling through key aimags and visiting land restoration sites, pastoral households, and protected areas ahead of COP17 discussions. Mongolia’s energy supply: A new 70 MW thermal power plant in Selenge began initial testing, aiming to ease electricity and heating shortages before the winter peak. Wildlife conservation warning: Reports highlight habitat loss and weak enforcement driving leopard killings in Pakistan, with leopards pushed toward villages. Mongolian environmental leadership lost: Mongolia mourns Dr. Zamba Batjargal, former Environment Minister and climate envoy, who died Aug 6. Disaster relief abroad: China has released emergency funds and evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin brings torrential rain and flooding, underscoring the climate-risk backdrop.

UNCCD COP17 diplomacy: Ambassadors and heads of missions in Mongolia toured the UNCCD COP17 project site and got briefed by Environment Minister Ts. Sandag-Ochir and foreign ministry officials, as Mongolia pushes preparations for the Aug. 17–28 conference. Energy for winter: Mongolia began initial commissioning at a new 70 MW thermal power plant in Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge, aimed at easing electricity and heat shortages before the winter peak. Clean air at home: The EU-funded SOAP II project (Switch Off Air Pollution in Mongolian cities) wrapped up, helping ger-area households insulate homes and cut fuel use, lowering winter air pollution and emissions. Wildlife pressure: A report links leopard killings to habitat loss, declining prey, and weak enforcement, with animals increasingly moving toward villages. Rangeland restoration on the move: The Silk Road Caravan entered Mongolia, traveling through key aimags and visiting restoration sites and protected areas ahead of COP17, focusing on pastoral livelihoods and land recovery. Global context: The World Bank Group’s Mongolia country manager presented credentials, reiterating support for sustainable development and investment climate reforms.

UNCCD COP17 Caravan in Mongolia: The Silk Road Caravan has entered Mongolia ahead of UNCCD COP17, traveling through Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, Bulgan and Tuv to meet herders, researchers and officials, and to visit land restoration sites including Khustai National Park, the Orkhon Valley UNESCO area and Ugii Lake (Ramsar). Clean Air for Ger Homes: The EU-funded SOAP II project (Switch Off Air Pollution in Mongolian cities) wrapped up after 2022–2026 work, helping thousands of households retrofit insulation and improve energy efficiency—aimed at cutting winter air pollution and greenhouse gases. Energy Security Push: A new 70 MW thermal power plant began initial testing in Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge, with commissioning planned before the winter peak; the project is designed to ease electricity and heating shortages. Wildlife Protection Crackdown: Mongolia’s authorities launched intensified inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting and trade, including relocation of 500–700 marmots annually to support recovery. Fossil Smuggling Warning: A report highlights a growing black market for dinosaur bones, including alleged smuggling and “Franken-fossils,” underscoring risks to Mongolia’s paleontological heritage.

Winter energy security: Mongolia has started initial testing at a new 70 MW thermal power plant in Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge aimag, after the first boiler ignition. The project is set for commissioning before the winter peak load, aiming to ease electricity and heating shortages and reduce energy dependency, with a modular “environmentally friendly” carbon chimney. Desertification and rangelands: Ahead of UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, the Silk Road Caravan has entered Mongolia, traveling through multiple aimags and visiting Khustai National Park, Orkhon Valley (UNESCO), and Ugii Lake (Ramsar) to share solutions for land degradation and drought resilience. Cleaner homes, cleaner air: The EU-funded SOAP II project (Switch Off Air Pollution in Mongolian cities) wrapped up, helping ger-area households improve insulation and energy efficiency—targeting warmer homes, lower heating costs, and reduced winter air pollution. Wildlife enforcement: Mongolia is intensifying inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting and trade, while continuing annual marmot relocations to support steppe ecosystem balance. Global context for Mongolia: World Bank Group Country Manager Victoria Delmon presented her credentials, reaffirming support for Mongolia’s sustainable development and investment climate.

UNCCD COP17 Prep in Ulaanbaatar: The Silk Road Caravan has entered Mongolia, traveling for seven days through Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, Bulgan and Tuv, with stops at Khustai National Park, the Orkhon Valley UNESCO site and Ugii Lake (Ramsar). Organizers say the route will connect nomadic households, researchers and cooperatives to share practical fixes for rangeland degradation and drought resilience, feeding into COP17 discussions on scaling local land restoration. COP17 Coordination: Environment Minister Sandag-Ochir met Türkiye’s ambassador to align UNCCD COP17 with UNFCCC COP31 and strengthen cooperation across the Rio Conventions. Cleaner Air at Home: The EU-funded SOAP II project (2022–2026) wrapped up, helping ger-area households insulate homes to cut winter fuel use, improve comfort and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. Wildlife Enforcement: Mongolia launched intensified inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting and trade, while continuing annual marmot relocations based on scientific assessments. Tourism Pressure Check: Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgobi has drawn over 30,000 tourists this year, spotlighting both conservation value and the need to manage impacts.

UNCCD COP17 Push in Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia has kicked off the Silk Road Caravan ahead of UNCCD COP17, with a week-long route through Dundgobi, Uvurkhangai, Arkhangai, Bulgan and Tuv to meet herders, researchers and restoration projects—highlighting rangeland recovery and drought resilience. Rio Conventions Coordination: Environment Minister Sandag-Ochir met Türkiye’s ambassador to align UNCCD COP17 with UNFCCC COP31 and strengthen cooperation across the three Rio Conventions. Cleaner Homes, Cleaner Air: The EU-funded SOAP II project (2022–2026) says it improved insulation and energy efficiency for thousands of ger households, cutting fuel use and winter air pollution while supporting green finance and insulation businesses. Wildlife Protection on the Ground: Authorities launched intensified inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting and trade, while continuing annual relocations of 500–700 marmots to protect steppe ecosystem balance. Desert Tech Debate: A report argues AI and robotics could scale up desert greening to fight desertification, while other coverage points to Mongolia-relevant restoration approaches. COP17 Site Visits: India’s ambassador inspected the UNCCD COP17 venue in Ulaanbaatar, underscoring international engagement for the Aug 17–28 summit.

Air Quality & Homes: The EU-funded SOAP II project (2022–2026) helped thousands of ger-area households insulate homes, cutting fuel use and winter air pollution while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Wildlife Protection: Mongolia is intensifying nationwide inspections to curb illegal marmot hunting, transport, and trade; marmot hunting is banned outside the legal season and requires special permits. Land Degradation Talks: India’s ambassador inspected the UNCCD COP17 venue in Ulaanbaatar ahead of the Aug. 17–28 summit on restoring land and hope. Tourism & Nature: Baga Gazriin Chuluu in Dundgobi has drawn over 30,000 tourists this year, spotlighting protected geological formations and nearby caves, rock art, and ancient graves. Pastoralism & Resilience: A UN-backed push highlights pastoralists and rangelands as climate knowledge hubs, with COP17 in Mongolia expected to put land degradation and resilience front and center. Energy & Climate Context: Mongolia’s World Bank cooperation continues as the country’s World Bank manager presented credentials, with renewed focus on sustainable development and investment climate.

UNCCD COP17 Prep in Ulaanbaatar: India’s ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve toured the UNCCD COP17 venue in Mongolia, ahead of the Aug 17–28 summit on land restoration, desertification and drought. Wildlife Enforcement: Mongolia is stepping up nationwide inspections to stop illegal marmot hunting, transport and trade, even as 500–700 marmots are relocated annually to help repopulate aimags. Pastoral Livelihoods & Culture: The 8th World Reindeer Herders’ Congress opened in Khuvsgul, with delegates discussing pasture degradation, climate impacts and indigenous knowledge, and planning the Tsagaannuur Declaration. Rangelands Spotlight: A UN-backed push for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists frames pastoral knowledge as key to surviving climate-fueled disasters and protecting fragile landscapes. Steppe Biodiversity Note: A Mongolian-focused piece highlights how marmots support steppe balance as burrowers and prey—making poaching a direct hit to ecosystem health.

UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: India’s ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve inspected the host venue for UNCCD COP17, set for Aug 17–28 under “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope,” as Mongolia prepares for talks on land degradation, desertification and drought. Marmot conservation crackdown: Mongolia plans to relocate 500–700 marmots annually to help repopulate aimags, but illegal hunting and trade remain a threat, prompting intensified nationwide inspections and enforcement of strict hunting bans and transport rules. Pastoralists and rangelands spotlight: A UN push for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists puts Mongolia’s COP17 rangeland agenda in focus, highlighting pastoral knowledge as climate resilience. Reindeer herders meet in Khuvsgul: The 8th World Reindeer Herders’ Congress opened in Tsagaannuur soum, with delegates discussing pasture degradation, climate impacts, indigenous knowledge and a “Tsagaannuur Declaration.” Desertification warning from the Gobi: In Nomgon, the native wild onion “Taana” is failing to bloom, a sign herders say desertification is accelerating. UNESCO heritage update: The Petroglyphic Complex of Del Uul Mountain in Dundgobi/Umnugobi was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, protecting thousands of years of rock art and inscriptions.

Wildlife Enforcement: Mongolia is relocating 500–700 marmots annually to aimags including Arkhangai, Gobi-Altai, Dornod, and Khuvsgul to rebuild populations, but illegal hunting and trade are still undermining gains—so the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Ecological Police are intensifying nationwide inspections; marmot hunting is banned outside the licensed season and strict rules also prohibit methods like smoking, flooding burrows, traps, and bringing marmot products into towns. Pastoral Livelihoods: The 8th World Reindeer Herders’ Congress opened in Tsagaannuur, Khuvsgul, with delegates from multiple countries set to adopt the “Tsagaannuur Declaration,” focusing on pasture degradation, climate impacts, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable development. Desertification Watch: In Mongolia’s Gobi, the native wild onion “Taana” is failing to bloom in Nomgon soum, a warning sign that aridity and desertification are accelerating faster than expected. Global Land Talks: Mongolia is preparing to chair UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar (Aug 17–28), with an endgame workshop aimed at strengthening negotiation leadership on land degradation, drought, and financing. Heritage & Nature: The Petroglyphic Complex of Del Uul Mountain has been added to UNESCO’s tentative list, with thousands of carvings depicting wildlife and ancient life across Dundgobi and Umnugobi.

UNCCD COP17 Prep in Mongolia: Mongolia is gearing up to chair UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar (Aug 17–28) with an “Endgame Workshop” aimed at strengthening negotiation skills and leadership on land degradation, drought, desertification, water security, and financing. Desertification Warning from the Gobi: In Nomgon soum, the native wild onion “Taana” is failing to bloom, a sign herders say points to accelerating aridity and desertification that threatens Gobi biodiversity. UNESCO Heritage Move: The Petroglyphic Complex of Del Uul Mountain (Ulziit soum, Dundgobi) has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, with thousands of years of carvings including argali, ibex, horses, camels, and ancient inscriptions. Wildlife-Led Restoration Push: The Wildlife Conservation Society says COP17 restoration plans should put wildlife and ecosystem health at the center, arguing healthy rangelands support pastoral livelihoods and store carbon. Green Hydrogen Deal Abroad with Mongolia links: Envision Energy and Sasol are advancing green hydrogen design work in South Africa, exploring renewable power, storage, and electrolysers for lower-carbon fuels—part of wider global clean-energy momentum.

Desertification Watch (Mongolia): In the Gobi, the native wild onion “Taana” is failing to bloom in Nomgon soum, a sign herders say points to accelerating aridity and desertification that threatens fragile biodiversity. COP17 Prep (Mongolia): Mongolia is gearing up to chair UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar (Aug 17–28), running an “Endgame Workshop” to sharpen negotiation leadership on land degradation, drought, water security, and financing. Wildlife & Land Restoration (Global, Mongolia-hosted): The Wildlife Conservation Society urges governments at the UN desertification summit to put wildlife and ecosystem health at the center of restoration, warning that “grazing-only” approaches won’t hold rangelands together. UNESCO Heritage (Mongolia): The Petroglyphic Complex of Del Uul Mountain in Dundgobi/Umnugovi has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, with thousands of petroglyphs and ancient inscriptions spanning major eras. Urban Environment (Mongolia): Ulaanbaatar has completed feasibility studies for five multi-level intersections and bridges, aiming to cut congestion, fuel use, and air pollution. Heatwave Risk (China, regional context): Record-breaking heat is expected to intensify across China and parts of Inner Mongolia and Gansu, with extreme temperatures forecast in coming days.