**Madagascar Shifts Focus to Drought Anticipation at UNCCD COP17**
*Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – 28 August 2026* – At the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Madagascar announced a new “Drought Investment Plan” aimed at moving from emergency response to preventive action.
The conference, running from 17 to 28 August under the theme “Restoring the Land, Restoring Hope,” brings together representatives of the 197 Parties to the Convention, as well as scientists, business leaders, civil‑society organizations and local communities. Drought resilience has been a central topic, highlighted by a ministerial dialogue on 25 August in which Madagascar participated.
The Malagasy plan, developed with assistance from the UNCCD Global Mechanism, outlines three priority areas:
1. **Ecosystem and Forest Restoration** – Rehabilitation of degraded watersheds and protection of mangrove ecosystems.
2. **Agriculture and Water Management** – Modernisation of irrigation systems, promotion of agro‑ecological practices and the use of short‑cycle seed varieties better suited to harsh climatic conditions.
3. **Community Empowerment** – Strengthening the capacities of farmers and local populations to reduce reliance on repeated humanitarian aid, with particular attention to women and youth.
Luk Aristide Nolave Andriatsihala, Madagascar’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, stressed the need for “up‑stream investment in populations, especially women and young people,” to build resilience before droughts occur.
Madagascar’s delegation to COP17 included ministerial officials, researchers, civil‑society representatives and youth negotiators. Among them were research‑teacher Irinomenjanahary Randrianjafy and youth negotiators Barkat and Riantsoa, members of the Youth Negotiators Academy.
The presentation aligns with broader COP17 discussions on preventive financing. Delegates are reviewing mechanisms to mobilise additional resources for drought resilience, hydraulic infrastructure and land restoration. A newly proposed investment facility dedicated to drought resilience was among the initiatives highlighted in Ulaanbaatar.
Madagascar’s shift toward anticipatory measures reflects a growing international consensus that proactive investment is essential to mitigate the impacts of recurring droughts across vulnerable regions.
Article and image source: madagascar-tribune.com
