UNCCD COP17 Opens in Ulaanbaatar: Delegates from 196 countries and the EU gathered for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with Mongolia’s leaders stressing faster implementation and measurable results as land degradation, drought and water scarcity threaten health, food security and livelihoods. Mongolia’s COP17 Push: Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor highlighted national efforts like land degradation neutrality targets, sustainable rangeland management and the “Billion Trees” campaign, framing rangelands and pastoral knowledge as practical solutions. Civil Society Priorities: CSOs from five regions outlined how they will bring community voices into COP17 decisions, focusing on rangelands, sustainable agriculture and drought resilience. Private Sector Land Restoration: Monpolymet presented its “Build Green Land” project, reporting biological rehabilitation across hundreds of hectares, pasture restoration, tree planting and freshwater habitat creation. Grasslands Recognized: India launched a first-ever guide to grasslands and open natural ecosystems, arguing these treeless landscapes are vital for biodiversity, pastoral livelihoods and climate resilience. Health Tech Angle: A new e-health literacy program for patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome is described, aiming to improve self-management through digital health skills.