Ulaanbaatar, April 27, 2026 /MONTSAME/. Mongolia participated by invitation in the G7 Environment Ministers’ Meeting held in France, where it presented policy-level initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and combating desertification.

In recent years, the G7 has expanded participation by inviting other countries to join discussions on specific themes. This time, alongside Mongolia, environment ministers from South Korea, Türkiye, Kenya, Albania, Australia, India, and Brazil, as well as representatives from international organizations, took part. The meeting focused on pressing climate change challenges and potential solutions.

In connection with hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from August 17–28, Mongolia introduced its experience and policy directions. Within this framework, it put forward three key initiatives: sharing its experience in combating desertification, promoting sustainable water use and increasing water resources, restoring degraded rangelands, and advancing nature-based green solutions.

Additionally, Mongolia proposed a comprehensive policy initiative called the “Steppe Agenda,” aimed at tackling climate change, desertification, and land degradation, while also outlining new directions for international cooperation.

This initiative will serve as Mongolia’s key policy proposal under UNCCD COP17. During the meeting, bilateral discussions were also held with environment ministers from France, South Korea, Kenya, and Italy to expand cooperation in climate action and desertification mitigation, as well as to enhance financing, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sandag-Ochir Tsend emphasized that as global environmental challenges intensify, the need to increase funding for environmental protection is becoming ever more urgent. He noted that economies, food systems, and social resilience are directly dependent on the environment and land, underscoring that conservation, restoration, and the sustainable use of ecosystems must remain top priorities.

He also welcomed the establishment of the “Finance Coalition for Nature and People” as a timely and important initiative. However, he pointed out that biodiversity financing remains insufficient, fragmented, and disconnected, stressing the need to ensure that funding delivers tangible and measurable results.

Mongolia is currently updating its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately USD 810 million will be required to implement this plan by 2030.

Environmental stewardship is deeply embedded in Mongolia’s nomadic pastoral traditions, which are based on living in harmony with nature. However, rapid development and climate change are disrupting this delicate balance.

As the host country of UNCCD COP17, Mongolia is working to develop the “Steppe Plan” into an implementation platform. Through this initiative, the country expects to make a meaningful contribution to achieving global environmental goals.

By participating in the G7 meeting, Mongolia has reinforced its position in advancing policy initiatives on the international stage and expanding cooperation in environmental protection.