Young people take centre stage in shaping sustainable agrifood systems at UNCCD COP17

Young people brought their voices, priorities and solutions to discussions on land restoration, pastoralism, soil health and sustainable agrifood systems at the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17 to 28 August.

COP17 is UNCCD's main global decision-making conference on desertification, land degradation and drought. Held under the theme "Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” the 2026 conference brought together governments and stakeholders to advance action on land restoration, drought resilience, rangelands and agrifood systems. The conference also took place during the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, placing particular attention on the sustainable management of rangelands and the communities that depend on them.

Through the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Initiative, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), young people contributed to COP17 through policy recommendations, youth dialogues and knowledge exchange, with a particular focus on the priorities of young pastoralists and young women.

A key milestone was the launch of the Global Youth Policy Recommendations on Youth and Young Women in Pastoralism on 27 August, during the thematic closing Action Agenda Food Systems and Soil Health Day. The launch brought together representatives of governments, FAO, UN Women, pastoralist organizations, youth networks and other partners for an intergenerational dialogue on youth-generated evidence can inform policy and programmes.

Developed through a global, youth-led consultation, the recommendations address land degradation, tenure security, pastoral mobility, climate impacts and livelihood opportunities, while highlighting the barriers faced by young women pastoralists in accessing land, resources, finance, decision-making and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

READ THE FULL YOUTH POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Beyond the policy recommendations, engagements included the launch of the WFF Mongolia Youth Chapter, participation in the COP17 Youth Forum and discussions on land, people and agrifood systems. A workshop with the Youth Negotiators Academy connected young negotiators with Chapter members, young pastoralists and Indigenous youth representatives to explore how priorities emerging from communities can be better reflected in international negotiations.

Together, these engagements brought youth perspectives into conversations on land restoration, soil health, pastoralism and resilient agrifood systems, while creating opportunities for young people to connect community projects with global policy processes.

At the global level, the Youth Policy Recommendations provide a platform for continued dialogue on the priorities of young pastoralists and young women, calling for their recognition as partners in sustainable pastoralism and rangeland governance, alongside stronger access to land, resources, livelihoods and decision-making.

As countries work to accelerate land restoration and build resilient agrifood systems, COP17 underscored the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to the policies and solutions that will shape their future.