Climate Diplomacy: Differences between COP17 and COP31

About COP17

COP17  is an international conference whose primary objectives include seeking collective solutions to desertification, land degradation, and drought. It is important to note that it is one of the three major processes of the Rio Conventions, along with biodiversity and climate change.

This year, it will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), as this convention is the legally binding international treaty established in 1994 to address desertification, land degradation, and drought.

This year’s theme is “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”, reflecting the urgency of addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought.

At this international conference, 197 countries have gathered to seek concrete commitments to restore degraded land, strengthen food security, and ensure the resilience of rural communities.

Desertification already affects nearly 40% of the planet’s land, with direct consequences for food production, water availability, and economic stability.

Desertification and land degradation are global problems that require international cooperation. The UNCCD stipulates that countries must meet periodically at the COP to assess progress, set new goals, and coordinate actions.

About COP31

For its part, the COP31 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international conference held under the mandate of the UNFCCC, which was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Summit.

The UNFCCC is the international treaty that establishes global cooperation against climate change. COP31 is guided by the 2015 Paris Agreement, which sets targets for emissions reduction and adaptation.

The Conference of the Parties focuses on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance, with the aim of advancing the commitments of the Paris Agreement, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and coordinating global actions to address the climate crisis.

This conference will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

Differences

Unlike COP17, COP31 directly addresses the atmospheric and energy dimensions of the problem, involving negotiations on energy transition, green finance, and technological cooperation.

The fundamental difference between the two conferences is their thematic focus.

COP17 addresses land and terrestrial ecosystems, while COP31 focuses on the atmosphere and the global climate.

Both COPs are part of an interconnected system of environmental conventions known as the “Rio Conventions,” which also includes the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Conclusion

Although COP17 and COP31 are different international conferences, they complement each other in the search for environmental solutions to achieve greater sustainability.

The former emphasizes land, soils, and food security; the latter focuses on climate, emissions, and international cooperation.

Both seek to generate solutions through dialogue, raising awareness about the importance of international cooperation in the face of global environmental and climate challenges.