Maldives Advocates for SIDS-Inclusive Land Degradation Indicators and Financing at UNCCD COP17
Maldives advocates for global land degradation indicators and financing tools to better reflect the realities of Small Island Developing States like the Maldives at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia being held from 14th to 28th August 2026. The Maldives delegation is being represented Maldives' focal point to the Convention, Director of Knowledge Management, Research and Assessment Mr. Ahmed Shan, and Senior Surveyor Ms. Aishath Alhan Hameed.
This year's COP is advancing key discussions on drought resilience, including negotiations on a global policy framework to transform drought plans into action through early warning systems and risk financing. Parties are also focusing on land restoration for agricultural lands, soils, and rangelands to combat degradation and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality, while mobilizing public and private investment through dedicated finance mechanisms. The science-policy interface is prioritizing evidence for drought monitoring, soil-water management, and ecosystem restoration, alongside nature-based solutions that align land restoration with climate and biodiversity goals.
The Maldives delegation is using this platform to highlight a distinct challenge facing small island developing states: land degradation in the Maldives is driven not by desertification, but by coastal erosion, saline intrusion, and freshwater lens depletion linked to sea-level rise. The delegation is advocating for UNCCD's indicators, financing instruments, and reporting frameworks, currently calibrated primarily for dryland and drought contexts to better reflect these coastal realities.
Under the theme "Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.", the Maldives reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with SIDS partners and global stakeholders to advance integrated solutions that protect its terrestrial and nearshore ecosystems, while advocating for indicators and technologies that reflect the unique realities and challenges of SIDS.
