RRI at UNCCD COP17: Secure Tenure Rights at the Center of Land Restoration

At UNCCD COP17, taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026, the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) will champion the message that pastoralists, Mobile Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities—especially women and youth—are proven leaders of land and resource stewardship whose secure tenure rights are essential to achieving global biodiversity, climate, and land restoration goals. 

As governments, donors, the private sector, and civil society gather in Ulaanbaatar, the timing is especially significant as 2026 marks the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Governments are also facing increasing pressure to deliver on global climate, biodiversity, and land restoration commitments by 2030. 

Across all themes, RRI’s engagements will: (1) promote land tenure recognition as a moral imperative to achieving global goals; (2) elevate the voices of pastoralists and Mobile Peoples as solution-holders; and (3) advocate land governance as a standing UNCCD agenda item. Through evidence, storytelling, and global media outreach, RRI will ensure that the world’s attention remains on those who protect the planet every day: Earth’s defenders.

UNCCD COP17 Delegation

Our UNCCD COP17 delegation brings together Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples and local community leaders from Africa, Asia, and Latin America who are advancing community-led solutions to land degradation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

 

Our 5 Priorities at UNCCD COP17

Mobility Rights and Secure, Flexible Tenure

Promote secure, flexible tenure for Indigenous, Afro-descendant, local community, and Mobile Peoples as the foundation for global climate, biodiversity, and land restoration targets.

Pastoralists as Solution-holders

Amplify the voices, governance systems, and traditional knowledge of pastoralists in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and position them as climate leaders.

Land Governance

Advocate for the inclusion of land governance as a standing agenda item in UNCCD COP17 proceedings, including a dedicated Afro-descendant desertification agenda.

Women and Youth Leadership

Support the recognition of Indigenous, Afro-descendant, local community, pastoralist, and mobile women and youth as leaders and decision-makers within UNCCD negotiations.

Evidence and Unified Advocacy

Publish new evidence and data demonstrating the value add of secure rights, direct funding, and community leadership for achieving land restoration targets.

Events

Join the Conversation—RRI’s COP17 Side and Mainstage Sessions

11 Aug 2026
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET

Webinar—Tenure on the Move: Launching a Legal Toolkit for Pastoral and Mobile Land Tenure Reform

Virtual—on Zoom
17 Aug 2026
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. GMT+8

Moving Rights Forward: Advancing Pastoralist Rights and Customary Tenure Through Legal and Policy Change

Blue Zone, MET-04
19 Aug 2026
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. GMT+8

Improving Governance and Combating Land Degradation through Land Rights Research and the Protection of Herders’ Rights in Development Project Impact Areas

Green Zone, Tsagaadai Hall
19 Aug 2026
10:30 – 12:00 p.m. GMT+8

Rethinking Investment in Rangelands: Advancing Inclusive Green Investments and Pastoralist Rights through IYRP 2026 Campaign

Blue Zone, MET-02: 597
19 Aug 2026
02:00 – 03:00 p.m. GMT+8

Land Restoration and Environmental Racism: Addressing Differentiated Vulnerabilities in Degraded Territories

Blue Zone, Brazilian Pavilion – Area C2
19 Aug 2026
03:00 – 04:30 p.m. GMT+8

From Commons to Climate Action: Pastoralist Policy Priorities for Rangeland Restoration in South & Central Asia

Blue Zone, MET-04
21 Aug 2026
10:30 – 12:00 p.m. GMT+8

Realizing the Right to Food in the Rangelands: Rule of Law Solutions for Land Governance and Resource Conflict Management

Blue Zone, MET-05
22 Aug 2026
10:30 – 12:00 p.m. GMT+8

Investing in Pastoralism: Unlocking Climate Finance, Technology, and Partnerships for African Pastoralist Systems

Blue Zone, MET-03
25 Aug 2026
01:00 – 02:30 p.m. GMT+8

From Local Action to Global Negotiations: Connecting Young Leaders for Sustainable Land Management

Blue Zone
26 Aug 2026
11:30 – 01:00 p.m. GMT+8

Shepherding the Future: Advancing Partnership, Direct Access to Finance in Indigenous Peoples and Pastoral Solutions for Implementation

Blue Zone

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