Press release Help for soils in times of drought and heat: Germany at the 2026 UN land conference in Mongolia

    24 August 2026 | The Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Development Ministry (BMZ), Johann Saathoff, is attending the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD, which is being held in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia from 17 to 28 August. In these times of climatic extremes and drought, the UNCCD is more important than ever. Germany is a key strategic partner and an important donor of the UN convention.

    The world is grappling with a triple environmental crisis: climate change, loss of biodiversity and soil degradation are a threat to global food security and to the economic and geopolitical stability of many regions. In Germany, too, the increase in heat waves and drought in recent years is a stark reminder that managing water and soils in a sustainable manner concerns us all. If soils are not healthy, food security and peace around the world are negatively affected. That is why the BMZ supports partner countries in their efforts to make their agriculture fit for the future. In concrete terms, this involves restoring soil fertility, using water more efficiently and promoting farming techniques that protect and stabilise soils. This secures harvests in the long term and reduces dependency on imported fertilisers.

    Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan said,

    “Germany is currently experiencing what water scarcity and droughts actually mean. Rivers are drying up, farmers are losing their harvests, the economic damage amounts to billions. In many parts of the world, this has long been a reality. In a world of growing geopolitical tensions, healthy soils and water security are becoming a central factor for the environment and biodiversity and also for economic growth, stability and the international order. The UN-Desert Conference offers an opportunity to work together to find solutions. In our efforts we need to address land and water together. Healthy soils store water, secure harvests and make people more resilient against drought and other consequences of climate change.”

    Water is one of the priority areas of Germany's development cooperation. Because water is much more than just a natural resource. Clean drinking water and safe sanitation are essential for healthcare systems to function, for children to attend school and for people to be able to earn a living. They are a safeguard against disease, poverty and hunger. They support agriculture, industry and a reliable energy supply – in many regions, water security is a matter of security policy. COP17 of the UNCCD in Mongolia is the kick-off to this year's three most important international summits on climate, biodiversity and soil protection – the 2026 Triple COPs. Germany is the host country for the UNCCD and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariats. This stresses its important role as a central location and actor for international environmental and climate policy in times in which international climate issues are becoming more and more relevant, also within our national borders.