The program was initiated to strengthen youth policy engagement and capacity building in connection with Mongolia hosting the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in 2026.
This initiative represents the continuation and an integral part of the “Policy Empowerment” Program and the “Policy Hackathon” implemented earlier in 2025, serving as the next phase of a comprehensive youth policy engagement framework.
Over the course of two months, approximately 50 young participants gained comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in:
- The interlinkages between the three Rio Conventions — UNCCD, UNFCCC, and CBD
- Desertification and land degradation at both global and national levels
- The structure, mandates, and policies of the UNCCD, as well as international cooperation mechanisms
- Policy development, negotiation, and multilateral diplomatic engagement skills.
A key highlight of the program was a two-day advanced training on “Negotiation Skills and Modern Approaches to Conflict Resolution,” held on 29–30 November 2025. The training was led by Roland B. Wilson, an internationally recognized researcher and mediator with over 30 years of experience in peace studies, conflict resolution, and diplomacy, and focused on practical, scenario-based multilateral negotiation skills.
As a result of the program, participants are now equipped with the knowledge and competencies to meaningfully engage in international policy negotiations and actively contribute to the preparations for UNCCD COP17 in 2026.
Going forward, graduates of the UNCCD Young Ambassadors Program plan to conduct training and awareness-raising activities in secondary schools in 2026, sharing knowledge on desertification, land degradation, and sustainable development with younger generations.
