Mongolia and South Africa Discuss Consensus at COP17
Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, serving as COP17 president, met South African Deputy Environment Minister Bernice Swarts on August 20. Battsetseg thanked South Africa for its participation and said Mongolia intends to conduct the conference openly, transparently and inclusively. Swarts emphasized international cooperation in addressing land degradation, desertification and drought. Mongolia's COP presidency committed to hearing all parties, fostering mutual understanding and advancing conference outcomes through consensus. The meeting reflects diplomatic work around the negotiations; the report did not identify a new bilateral agreement or a completed substantive COP17 decision.
M-International Editorial DeskUpdated August 24, 2026
Foreign Minister and COP17 President Battsetseg Batmunkh met South African Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts on August 20.
Mongolia said it would conduct the conference through open, transparent, inclusive and consensus-based procedures. South Africa emphasized international cooperation on land degradation, desertification and drought. Battsetseg committed the presidency to listening to the positions of all parties and seeking mutual understanding. The meeting forms part of conference diplomacy and process management. It did not announce a new bilateral project or establish that negotiations on any substantive COP17 issue had concluded.