Drought talks mobilise billions for land restoration

International drought talks in Mongolia launched a $1.2 billion rangelands programme spanning 45 projects, alongside a further $2 billion commitment for Asia-Pacific land restoration.

Up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded. Damaged soil holds less water, making farms, wildlife and communities more exposed when rainfall fails and temperatures rise.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries focused on restoring vegetation, managing land and water together, and financing sustainable agriculture. A new Drought Resilience Investment Facility also aims to mobilise up to $400 million in public and private capital. More than 70 countries now have national drought plans, compared with three in 2013, showing that planning capacity has spread.

The practical lesson is that drought resilience begins before an emergency, through healthier soils and funded local projects. The announced sums remain commitments, while global land restoration still faces an estimated $278 billion annual financing gap. Countries also postponed a decision on a binding drought agreement for two years.

The next test is whether pledged finance reaches projects and produces measurable improvements before the next conference in Egypt.