Vigenin: Fighting land degradation requires laws, resources and oversight

Kristian Vigenin, Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, took part in the High-Level Parliamentary Conference held as part of UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar. The forum brought together parliamentarians from five continents and representatives of Mongolia to discuss the role of national parliaments in combating desertification and land degradation and in restoring nature.

The tools parliaments have

The talks focused on the concrete tools parliaments have at their disposal: legislation, which sets the necessary rules and incentives; budgets, which provide resources for long-term policies and projects; and parliamentary oversight of how commitments are implemented and how effective the investments are.

“Parliaments have a much bigger role than we sometimes realise ourselves. It is precisely through laws, budgets and oversight that political commitments can be turned into concrete action and measurable results,” Kristian Vigenin said.

International exchange of experience

Participants also discussed how international exchange could grow into more practical cooperation, by sharing successful projects, good practices and proven solutions. One of the ideas discussed is to set up an international network of experts to support parliaments with advice, training and participation in public debates.

Particular emphasis was placed on direct cooperation between parliaments, especially those of neighbouring countries, which often face common or similar challenges.

Land degradation and water shortages

“Land degradation, water shortages, droughts and the loss of natural ecosystems do not stop at national borders. That is why solutions increasingly have to be sought together. International conferences have real value when what remains after them is not only declarations, but concrete partnerships, exchange of knowledge and policies that can be put into practice,” the Bulgarian MEP stressed.

Talks on the sidelines of the conference

During the conference, Kristian Vigenin also spoke with the Chairman of the State Great Khural, the Parliament of Mongolia, Sandag Byambatsogt. They discussed Mongolia’s relations with Bulgaria and the European Union, as well as the Mongolian parliamentary speaker’s upcoming visit to Luxembourg and Brussels.