UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia kicked off COP17 on desertification under “Restore the land, restore hope,” with Prime Minister Nyam-Osoryn Uchral urging concrete action over speeches as 80% of the country faces soil degradation; he highlighted six fronts including restoration investment, herder participation, science-led solutions, financing, water protection, and sand-and-dust storm measures. Local city cooperation: At a Mayors’ Forum tied to COP17, Ulaanbaatar Mayor Purevdagva Bayruuzana said land degradation and drought don’t stop at borders, pushing city partnerships and new models to cut pasture degradation and support green economic cooperation. Health policy angle—medicine procurement: Health Minister Batshugar reported progress on Mongolia’s single-source procurement of medicines, supplies, biopreparations and vaccines, citing savings from recombinant antihemophilic factor purchases and compiling a list of 179 quality-compliant medicines to reduce duplication and generate budget savings. Medical tourism business push: Busan announced a 2026 Medical Tourism Business Fair (26–27 Aug) bringing 16 overseas buyers from 10 countries, including Mongolia, to link with Busan medical institutions and referral agencies. Traditional medicine spotlight: A symposium in Xizang drew 200+ experts from China, Europe and Mongolia on “The Four Treatises of Tibetan Medicine” and Tibetan medical thangkas, focusing on modern clinical pathways and international cooperation. Desert greening in practice: M-Grass and technicians inspected Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings in Mongolia’s Gobi, emphasizing hydrological surveys, native vegetation protection, and careful planting to improve survival in harsh conditions.