The Mayors’ Forum is being held in Ulaanbaatar as part of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17).

Opening the forum, Purevdagva Bayruuzana, Governor of the capital and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, said that although Mongolia has preserved a nomadic heritage of living in harmony with the land, land degradation, drought and desertification have become major challenges, as they have in other countries.

“Desertification, water scarcity, climate change, pasture degradation and the resulting adverse impacts of dust storms are not confined by national borders. Therefore, partnerships among cities and international cooperation are essential. COP17 provides an opportunity to learn from good practices, share challenges and solutions facing the region, and address them together.

“Ulaanbaatar, as a major economic and financial center generating around 70 percent of Mongolia’s GDP, should play a leading role in promoting green economic cooperation through partnerships among cities and in reducing pasture degradation. Partnerships among cities and appropriate investment solutions will be crucial to implementing the goals put forward at COP17.

“We seek to learn from your good practices and jointly introduce new ideas and partnership models that can benefit all parties.

“Ulaanbaatar will take the lead in serving as a bridge for cooperation through city partnerships and an investment system based on the green economy. We will also put forward the ‘Ulaanbaatar Declaration,’ which will reflect the common positions and shared goals of cities, and the ‘Ulaanbaatar Initiative,’ which will link these goals with concrete actions and investment. Partnerships among cities and investment opportunities will be an important step toward international cooperation. I believe the new ideas and solutions emerging from this forum will mark the beginning of long-term cooperation.”

The forum brings together city leaders from around the world, representatives of international and research organizations, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector for high-level policy discussions, scientific and technological exchanges, and the sharing of urban experiences. It aims to promote the international sharing of policies, good practices, technologies, innovations and nature-based solutions implemented at the city level; connect the voices and participation of local governments with the UNCCD process; and establish an institutional and financial foundation for sustained cooperation among cities.

Yasmin Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, said that more than half of the world’s population is projected to live in cities and urban areas by 2050.

“The concentration of people, economic activity and infrastructure is making cities key centers for human development and environmental sustainability. When we talk about land, we cannot leave the people living on that land out of the equation. Urban areas should not be treated differently from rural areas. It is important to consider how financial resources can be delivered and how land and water can be managed properly. These issues must be addressed in an integrated manner.

“Therefore, we are discussing resilience to land degradation and climate change, and by the final day, we will make decisions for healthy and resilient land for all,” she emphasized.

Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, noted that although desertification, drought and land degradation are often considered local issues, their consequences affect people’s lives through migration, air pollution and other impacts, making cities recipients of these risks. He stressed that mayors are among the most important actors in implementing the goals put forward globally at COP17.

He also emphasized the importance of cities in providing global leadership, saying that it is not enough simply to discuss green finance, investment and urban planning. Instead, successful solutions implemented in one city should be replicated in other cities.

The Minister added that Mongolia is ready to work with international and financial institutions, the private sector and civil society to address these challenges.

Dr. Ursula Sautter, a member of the Bonn City Council and Deputy Mayor of Bonn, Germany, spoke about the challenges facing her city.

“Since May, temperatures in Bonn have reached 35–40 degrees Celsius. The city’s buildings were not designed to cope with such extreme heat. The soil has become like a desert, making conditions difficult for trees, plants and birds. Water levels have fallen to levels never seen before in centuries. This is the first time we have experienced such difficulties, which other countries have faced before. In this regard, I am grateful to be participating in this forum,” she said.

She noted that money alone cannot solve all problems and said that, in addition to encouraging businesses operating in the city to contribute to biodiversity and environmental protection, Bonn is receiving financial assistance from local landowners to help address the challenges it faces.

Representatives of 33 countries, 24 cities, 51 international organizations and 23 domestic organizations are participating in the forum.

Published Date:2026-08-23