Egypt has completed its national drought management plan, making it eligible for funding through new international mechanisms being established at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar. This was stated by Yasmin Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to
MENA, a TV BRICS partner.
According to Fouad, one of the main objectives of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar is to move from discussing plans to actually financing projects. The meeting continues the work launched in Riyadh and focuses on intensifying efforts to combat drought, restoring land and attracting business investment. This is particularly important for African countries, which are severely affected by soil degradation.
Egypt intends to increase private-sector participation in financing land restoration projects. Businesses currently account for just 6 per cent of global investment in this area. To change this situation, new opportunities are being created for investors in different countries. A special mission is due to visit Egypt in September to meet local companies and promote these initiatives. In addition, the African Business Forum in El Alamein on 2–4 October 2026 will provide a platform for establishing contacts.
Particular attention at COP17 is being paid to rangelands. Fouad explained that they are directly linked to land degradation. Mongolia provides a clear example of this interconnection: local communities depend heavily on rangelands, so land degradation reduces productivity and affects people’s livelihoods. On 24 August, a financial package aimed at supporting local communities and the private sector in this area will be launched. For Egypt, where there is also a need to preserve agricultural land and rangelands, this experience could prove valuable.
Other priorities include technology transfer and workforce training. As Fouad stressed, funding alone is not enough: countries need the technical expertise to implement projects. Work is also under way to link drought management with climate and biodiversity issues. A dedicated day of the conference will focus on this topic.