On 17 August 2026, UNU-IAS will hold a side event at the 2026 UN Desertification Conference (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Drawing on empirical evidence from landscape actors across different regions, the event will illustrate the challenges posed by inadequate investment in landscape governance.
Landscape, territorial and bioregional approaches advance socio-ecological resilience by considering the conservation and restoration of nature alongside issues of equity, inclusivity and people’s wellbeing. Sustaining these approaches requires coordinated action and alignment of values, purposes and visions among different actors and institutions. The effectiveness of landscape governance depends on the ability of institutions to deliver on multidimensional goals over the long term, which in turn depends on the level of accessible investment throughout the landscape decision-making cycle.
The coordination and diligent facilitation required for this work — along with the time, effort, knowledge and skills that stakeholders currently volunteer to ensure sustainable outcomes — are often dismissed as overhead costs and overlooked. Stretched project funding leads to delays, trust deficits and undervaluation of these efforts.
The side event will examine this critical issue through presentations and interactive discussion, exploring opportunities for collaboration towards convergent policy implementation.
Participation
This event is open to all participants of UNCCD COP17.
Programme
Speakers and the full programme will be announced before the event.
Organizers
This event is co-organized by UNU-IAS; the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI); EcoAgriculture Partners; the 1000 Landscapes for a Billion People Initiative; CGIAR; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Yolda Initiative; and Ambition Loop.
