A Special High-Level Event on Sand and Dust Storms (SDS), held at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, brought together senior United Nations officials, government representatives and international partners to strengthen coordinated action under the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (2025–2034).

During the event, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed announced  the Secretary-General’s Framework for Action on Sand and Dust Storms, structured around four priorities: raising awareness and understanding; sharing knowledge and good practices; mobilizing action and investment; and fostering collaboration. Participants emphasized that SDS are a transboundary development challenge affecting health, food and water security, livelihoods, infrastructure and ecosystems, and called for stronger source mitigation, land restoration, early warning systems, regional cooperation and greater public and private investment.

The event also highlighted regional initiatives, including the ESCWA-ESCAP Interregional Initiative to Combat Sand and Dust Storms in Western Asia, through which ten participating countries have agreed on a shared three-year programme of work and priorities for cooperation. Discussions underscored the importance of moving from dialogue and early warning towards coordinated, science-based action on the ground.

For the full transcript and discussions, please visit: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k1i/k1ichfbq0l