Vincentian Karomo Browne Named Vice-President of Major UN Talks on Drought and Land 

By S.Browne. Updated 3:39 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Vincentian agricultural officer Karomo Browne has been named Vice-President of the Bureau of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), placing him in a leadership role at major global talks on drought, land degradation and resilience.

Known as COP17, the conference is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” It brings together governments, civil society, scientists, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, smallholder farmers and other stakeholders to advance solutions to desertification, land degradation and drought.

Browne, an Agricultural Diversification Officer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will serve on the conference’s steering and executive body, helping to guide its proceedings alongside the President.

As Vice-President of the Bureau, he will support the President in guiding the session, help promote balanced regional representation, chair meetings when required and assist with intersessional tasks and follow-up programmes.

His appointment gives St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) community a voice within the leadership of a conference addressing issues with direct implications for island nations, including drought resilience, sustainable land management, food security, water resilience and livelihoods.

“This is the perfect opportunity to ensure that the voices of Caribbean SIDS are heard,” Browne said.

“Small island developing states face unique vulnerabilities, and our perspectives must be reflected in decisions that shape global action on land, drought and resilience.”

For SVG, the discussions are particularly relevant as countries seek to strengthen their ability to protect agricultural production, water resources, livelihoods and ecosystems from growing environmental pressures.

Browne is expected to contribute to inclusive, transparent and action-oriented deliberations, with particular attention to the realities of Caribbean SIDS and other vulnerable regions.

His role does not mean he will act as SVG’s sole negotiator on every issue before the conference. Rather, as a member of the Bureau, he will help steer the proceedings while participating countries negotiate and make decisions on the issues before COP17.

The conference continues in Ulaanbaatar through August 28, with participating countries and stakeholders working towards stronger international action on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable land stewardship.

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