Drought a defining challenge, says Bhupender Yadav at UNCCD COP17

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said at the UNCCD conference in Mongolia that drought has become a defining developmental challenge and called for a global shift from reactive relief to proactive, technology-driven resilience. Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on Accelerating Drought Resilience during COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, he warned that dry spells are escalating and disrupting water security, agriculture, biodiversity and economic stability.

Yadav highlighted India's multi-institutional approach that uses rainfall monitoring and satellite-based drought assessments to trigger preparedness at inter-ministerial and state levels. He advocated for integrating predictive technologies, localised early-warning systems and proactive land management policies so vulnerable communities can anticipate shocks rather than rely on post-disaster relief. The conference, hosted by Mongolia under the theme Restoring Land. Restoring Hope, brings together 197 member parties to negotiate frameworks for land degradation neutrality and drought forecasting.

The UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions and the only legally-binding international agreement linking environmental management to sustainable land stewardship. COP17 aims to turn commitments into measurable solutions for water and food security over the next decade.