As countries work to accelerate implementation of the Rio Conventions and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are emerging as one of the most effective approaches for delivering integrated outcomes across land restoration, climate action and biodiversity conservation.

Date: August 25, 2026

Time: 10:30-12:00

Location: Room MET-05, Blue Zone, UNCCD COP17, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Hosted as part of the official UNCCD COP17 Presidency Programme, this high-level dialogue will bring together ministers, senior government representatives, Rio Convention COP Presidencies, international organisations and non-state actors to explore practical pathways for scaling NbS and strengthening coherence across the land–climate–biodiversity nexus.

Building on the UNCCD COP17 theme, “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” the dialogue will showcase how countries are integrating NbS into national policies, financing mechanisms and implementation strategies to advance Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) while simultaneously contributing to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The event will also feature the launch of key findings from the Asociación ENACT‘s 2026 State of Nature-based Solutions Report—the first global assessment of how NbS have been incorporated into LDN targets and other national planning instruments under the Rio Conventions. The report provides new insights into global progress, regional trends, implementation gaps and opportunities to strengthen NbS policy and practice in line with the UNEA definition of NbS and the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions.

The dialogue aims to:

• Highlight practical country experiences in implementing Nature-based Solutions across the land–climate–biodiversity nexus.
• Present the latest findings from the ENACT Partnership’s 2026 State of NbS Report.
• Explore opportunities to align Land Degradation Neutrality investments with climate, biodiversity and sustainable development finance.
• Foster dialogue on policy coherence, cross-sectoral coordination and integrated planning across the Rio Conventions.
• Strengthen partnerships and international cooperation to scale Nature-based Solutions and accelerate implementation.

Confirmed speakers include Mr. Munkhtamir Batbayar, Mongolia Vice Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.