06/10/2026
PO Anahita Participates in COP17 Mongolia and participated as a civil society organization (CSO) in the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) in Mongolia. Through its participation in events and civil society platforms, PO Anahita contributed community perspectives to discussions on land restoration, water, pastoralism, Indigenous Peoples’ rights and resilience.
The events brought together participants working across science, policy and practice. Their discussions explored how global commitments can better respond to the knowledge, priorities and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
PO Anahita participated in the “Dialogue on Water, Land and People: Connecting Science, Policy and Practice,” which focused on the links between healthy land, water security and community well-being. The dialogue highlighted the importance of bringing scientific evidence together with practical experience and local knowledge when developing solutions.
At “Linking Local Action to Global Commitments for Risk Reduction, Resilience and Rights in Rangelands,” participants considered how locally led efforts can support resilience while protecting the rights and livelihoods of rangeland communities. The discussion emphasized that sustainable rangeland management must take account of pastoralist knowledge, mobility and the pressures communities face.
PO Anahita also took part in “Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration for Drought Resilience and Sustainable Land Management: From Dryland Territories to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).” This event explored restoration approaches grounded in Indigenous Peoples’ relationships with their territories and the broader living world. It connected local restoration practices with the global goal of Land Degradation Neutrality.
Pastoralism and community safety were addressed in “Pastoralists for Drought Resilience and Peace,” which focused on the role of pastoralist communities in responding to drought and supporting peace. Discussions on people-centred land tenure and governance further highlighted the importance of secure rights, inclusive decision-making and meaningful community participation in the stewardship of land.
Beyond the event sessions, PO Anahita engaged with the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus and the Local Communities’ Caucus. These civil society spaces enable representatives to exchange perspectives and raise shared priorities in international discussions. PO Anahita’s participation reflected the importance of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are heard in decisions that affect their lands and livelihoods.
The organization also participated in “One Land, Three Agendas: Using Agroecology to Deliver Rio Conventions in Practice,” which explored how agroecological approaches can contribute to the objectives of the Rio Conventions through practical action on the ground. The event “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope” underscored the connection between land restoration and the well-being and future of communities.
Across these discussions, a common message emerged: effective responses to land degradation and drought must connect global goals with local action. This requires recognizing community knowledge, supporting inclusive and people-centred land governance, and ensuring that restoration efforts respect the rights and priorities of the people who depend on and care for their territories.
PO Anahita’s participation at COP17 reaffirmed its commitment to bringing community perspectives into international environmental discussions and to supporting approaches that link land restoration with resilience, rights and sustainable livelihoods.
