By Office of Communications and Public Affairs
28 August 2026 – Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu, Associate Professor in Agricultural Systems, Engineering and Agribusiness (ASEA) at the Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR), participated in the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17–28 August 2026.
On 20 August, Dr. Sushil served as a panelist in the official COP17 side event session “WISE: A Global Platform for Assessing Climate Impacts on Drought and Flood,” following an invitation from the Rural Development Administration (RDA), Republic of Korea, and Texas A&M University, USA.
During the session, he shared perspectives on climate variability, drought and flood risks, water resources management, and the importance of science-based decision-making. The discussion also provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge with researchers, scientists, policymakers, and practitioners working on climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
Reflecting on his participation, Dr. Sushil said the conference was an enriching opportunity to contribute to an important global dialogue. “It was a privilege to be part of this important global dialogue on building a more climate-resilient and drought-resilient future.”
Held under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”, UNCCD COP17 brought together representatives from governments, international organizations, businesses, civil society, research and scientific communities, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and smallholder farmers.
The conference addressed a wide range of issues related to land restoration, drought resilience, water security, food systems, soil health, science and innovation, technology, and financing.
Dr. Sushil’s participation reflects AIT’s continued engagement in international discussions and research addressing climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, water resources, and environmental sustainability.
