Madam President,
The Latin American and Caribbean Group expresses its sincere appreciation to the people and Government of Mongolia for their warm hospitality and, together with the UNCCD Secretariat, for the excellent organization of this COP17.
GRULAC reaffirms its strong commitment to the effective implementation of the Convention and to strengthening action to combat desertification, land degradation and drought. We also recognize the support of international agencies and organizations such as FAO, UNEP, GEF, and PISLM for the National Reporting process, and encourage the continuation and strengthening of this cooperation. These challenges are closely linked to sustainable development, food security, climate resilience and the well-being of our communities. We reiterate the need for systemic approaches that restore the health and integrity of ecosystems and advance toward a more harmonious coexistence with nature.
Our region has made important progress in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. Several countries have established voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets, strengthening their institutional frameworks and promoting successful experiences in sustainable land and rangeland management, many of them based on traditional and scientific knowledge and often led by local communities. We have also strengthened South-South cooperation and the participation of diverse stakeholders in decision-making.
We welcome with interest the work on the future Strategic Framework of the Convention and support the development of a results-oriented post-2030 framework, grounded in scientific evidence, adapted to national circumstances and supported by robust indicators, strengthened national capacities and adequate means of implementation. We also reiterate the importance of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Considering the findings of the Global Mechanism regarding the substantial gaps in funding availability and resource mobilization, financing remains a fundamental pillar. Financial needs assessments reveal significant gaps that require greater resources and simplified access mechanisms for least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States. We value international and regional cooperation initiatives that contribute to expanding financing flows for the implementation of the Convention. We also urge developed countries to fulfill their obligations under Articles 6 and 20 of the Convention. We promote South-South and regional cooperation as a mechanism for sharing experiences, capacities and solutions.
We highlight the fundamental role of women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth and civil society in the implementation of the Convention. Their full and effective participation, respect for their rights and recognition of their knowledge are essential to the success of our actions. We also reaffirm the need to address in an integrated manner the links between desertification, drought, land degradation, poverty, hunger, inequality and migration.
We further recognize the growing threat posed by extreme natural phenomena, including sand and dust storms, wildfires, El Niño or ENSO, and others, and underscore the need to address them through preventive and integrated approaches that strengthen the resilience of affected communities and ecosystems. In this context, we emphasize the importance of mitigating the effects of drought and combating desertification and land degradation, strengthening early warning and monitoring systems, promoting knowledge exchange and international and regional cooperation on the basis of scientific, traditional and local knowledge, as well as strengthening synergies among the three Rio Conventions.
Madam President,
GRULAC arrives at this COP17 in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, convinced that multilateralism is the path to addressing our common challenges. We are ready to continue moving forward, with our Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, youth and civil society as key actors, to build a future in harmony with nature and as a legacy for future generations.
Thank you very much.
