Delegates at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), held in Mongolia, 17–28 August, unanimously approved Egypt’s bid to host COP18 in 2028.
According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision reflects international confidence in Egypt’s active role on climate and environmental issues and its record in multilateral diplomacy. It builds on Egypt’s successful hosting of COP27 on climate change in 2022 and COP14 on biodiversity in 2018.
It also crowns national efforts coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, which serves as Egypt’s national focal point for the convention.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification, led since May 2025 by Egypt’s former Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, was established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and entered into force in 1996. It focuses on combating desertification and mitigating drought worldwide, supporting water and food security.
Africa holds a special priority within the convention, underscoring the significance of Egypt’s upcoming role as host of COP18.
