The STEPPE Nexus project should be considered in the context of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of Parties (COP), which will be hosted by Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026. UNCCD COP17 will be the largest UN Conference in Mongolia’s history and will align with the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The thematic focus of COP17 is on sustainable land management, ecosystem and land restoration, and the implementation of Land Degradation Neutrality targets.
In many regions of the world, the extractive sector constitutes an important driver of land degradation, leading to the removal of vegetation cover, soil erosion, overexploitation of water resources, changes in land surface structure, and pollution of water, soil, and air. In Mongolia and in many other grassland regions of the world, mining can lead to resource competition between (traditional and often nomadic) herders on the one hand, and raw material extraction, processing and transport, as well as mining settlements, on the other hand.
The envisioned STEPPE Nexus project brings together experts from UNU-FLORES, GMIT, the UN system, the Government of Mongolia, development cooperation agencies, and the Mongolian mining sector to jointly develop solutions for responsible mine operation and closure, aiming to minimize land degradation and restore affected sites. The project consists of the following three key activities:
- Scoping mission and academic exchange: Field visits to selected active and rehabilitated mining sites; meetings with mining companies, local authorities, regulators, and community representatives; assessment of current reclamation practices, environmental challenges, and socioeconomic implications; delivery of in-person guest lectures at GMIT to introduce the Resource Nexus concept and international post-mining experiences; and documentation of findings.
- COP17 Side event: Post-Mining Landscape Restoration Workshop.
- Preparation of the workshop (envisioned for STEPPE Nexus II): Development of the workshop program, training materials, and session formats based on the findings of the scoping mission.
Through this project, we expect to increase the visibility of cooperation between Germany, Mongolia, and the UN system through joint project activities. We will also contribute to capacity building with a focus on sustainable post-mining transitions.
This project will contribute to the focus area of Transformed Landscapes.
