Every major conference has a hidden force. At COP17, it's the hundreds of volunteers whose work will help make one of the world's largest environmental gatherings possible.
The 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will take place in Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026. Some 600 volunteers are supporting the conference, of whom more than 400 are UN Volunteers. Ahead of the conference, all volunteers have completed training, which was jointly organized by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the Mongolian Red Cross Society, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia and the Working Office of the COP17 National Committee.
The volunteers have been prepared to take on specific duties across four key areas: the Green Zone, Blue Zone, hotels, and transportation. During the training, they were introduced to their assigned work areas and stations, and briefed on their roles, responsibilities, and the essential organizational information needed to support the conference.
During the training, B. Gantuya, Director of the Working Office of the COP17 National Committee, and T. Bayarchimeg, Secretary-General of the Mongolian Red Cross Society, highlighted the vital role they will play in COP17's success.
Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, Director, G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), UNCCD shared:
Land restoration is not something governments do alone. It happens because thousands of people, often young people, volunteer and show up to do the work. At the G20 Global Land Initiative, we have seen how local engagement turns global commitments into action on the ground. These volunteers, mobilized to support UNCCD COP17, display that spirit in practice."
