UNCCD COP16 youth conference
Youth delegate Ms. Erichissaran reported on her participation in UNCCD COP16.

Attending UNCCD COP 16 as a youth delegate has been an eye-opening experience, offering insights into both the challenges and opportunities for sustainable land management and restoration. Representing Mongolia, a country deeply impacted by desertification and land degradation, I was particularly struck by the emphasis on combining restoration efforts with financial innovation.

For Mongolia, the restoration of degraded land is not just about planting trees. Instead, integrating broader opportunities like carbon sequestration and leveraging the rapidly growing carbon market can benefit both communities and institutions. Financing mechanisms such as bonds and various credits are emerging as powerful tools, but they require robust systems for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV). Transparency, data utilization, and trust are essential to attract investments and ensure sustainable impacts.

A recurring theme during COP 16 was the gap between the availability of funds and the lack of bankable, well-structured projects. Many panelists highlighted that while the money exists, the challenge lies in translating innovative ideas into actionable projects. This is where youth can play a transformative role, especially in bridging the gap between technology and practicality.

A call to action for youth was clear throughout the conference: step into the restoration economy, create startups, and innovate within this space. From soil monitoring with IoT to using seaweed to boost yields, the potential for “ecopreneurs” is immense. With over 25,000 jobs already in the restoration economy, there is room to grow, but skills and readiness must catch up.

This incredible opportunity would not have been possible without the generous support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and United Nations Association of Mongolia. Their dedication to fostering youth leadership and environmental action has been instrumental in amplifying our voices on this global stage. I am deeply grateful for their sponsorship and belief in the power of youth to drive meaningful change.

This experience has given me renewed motivation and a clear sense of purpose. As youth, we have the opportunity to integrate local knowledge, technology, and financial innovation to turn land restoration and sustainable development solutions into tangible outcomes. What we need now is to translate these opportunities into concrete actions that lead to long-term, meaningful change.