The United Nations Secretary-General’s Framework for the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (2025–2034) was announced by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed during the UNCCD COP17 Special High-Level Event on Sand and Dust Storms in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 25 August 2026.

The Framework provides strategic direction for the implementation of the Decade. It is structured around four key objectives: raising awareness and improving understanding; sharing knowledge and good practices; mobilizing action; and fostering collaboration.

The high-level event featured opening statements by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, the UNCCD Executive Secretary, the ESCAP Executive Secretary, in her capacity as Co-Chair of the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, and the UNEP Executive Director.

The United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms was tasked by the Unted Nations General Assembly to support the United Nations Secretary General plan and organize the Decade at the global, regional and country levels, per resolution 78/314.

Video recording and transcript are available here: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k1i/k1ichfbq0l