[Event Announcement] MAFF to Host Its First-Ever Side Event at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia

1. Overview

   The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan will host a side event titled “Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management: Japan’s Innovative Technologies and Approaches” at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The event will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, and will be co-hosted by the International Platform for Dryland Research and Education (IPDRE) of Tottori University, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

   As land degradation countermeasures have become urgent global issues, Japan possesses a wide range of promising technologies and products that contribute to soil conservation and sustainable land management. This side event will highlight Japanese private-sector companies that are developing and promoting such innovations. Participants will discuss effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, academic institutions, and international organizations, to advance sustainable land management.
   We warmly welcome all those interested in participating.

2. About the Side Event

   Land degradation has become an urgent global challenge in many regions, including Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, making the conservation and restoration of agricultural soils increasingly important. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is gaining international attention for its potential to create synergies among land restoration, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.

   This side event will highlight Japan’s efforts in regenerative agriculture and SLM, as well as innovative technologies and approaches developed by Japanese private companies and research institutions that have the potential to contribute to addressing global challenges such as soil degradation and climate change. Discussions will focus on opportunities and challenges for achieving SLM through the application of these technologies and approaches, as well as through strengthened public-private partnership.

   The event will also explore effective partnerships among diverse stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, academic institutions, and international organizations. In addition, it will seek practical pathways and opportunities for scaling up and mainstreaming these technologies, with a view to facilitating their wider adoption and implementation.

3. Date and Vanue

Date and Time: Friday, 21 August 2026, 13:00-14:30 (Ulaanbaatar Time)

Venue: MET-30, Blue Zone of the UNCCD COP17

Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

4. Program

Moderator: MAFF

1. Event Overview

      Mr. Tomoki Tanaka
      Deputy Director, International Strategy Division, Export and International Affairs Bureau, MAFF

2. Opening Remark and Keynote

      Prof. Atsushi Tsunekawa
      Trustee/Vice-President of Tottori University
      Executive director, IPDRE of Tottori University

3. Presentation

   1) Mr. Narayan Lal Gurjar

            Founder & CEO, EF Polymer K.K. （外部リンク）

   2) Mr. Kenshi Kobayashi

            Project Manager, Applied Science Office, Engineering Department

            Sagri Co., Ltd.（外部リンク）

4．Panel discussion

      Mr. Yutaka Kawashima
      Deputy Director, International Strategy Division, Export and International Affairs Bureau, MAFF

      Prof. Atsushi Tsunekawa, Tottori University

      Mr. Narayan Lal Gurjar, EF Polymer K.K.

      Mr. Kenshi Kobayashi, Sagri Co., Ltd.

      Dr. El Hadji Maodo BA (TBC)
      Permanent Secretary of Senegal, National Committee of CILSS
      (Comité permanent Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel)

5. Q&A

6. Closing

      Mrs. Sarah Toumi
      Donors Engagement Officer and Business4Land Team Lead, UNCCD Secretariat

5. Participation Information

No prior registration is required. Participants are welcome to come directly to the venue.

6. Appendix

Event Flyer(PDF : 254KB)