Mongolia, a landlocked country nestled between China and Russia, is trying to use its geographic position not as a disadvantage but as a diplomatic opportunity. It is focusing on environmental issues and pastoralism to build relationships beyond its immediate neighbors. The recent COP17 conference on combating desertification in Ulaanbaatar gave Mongolia a chance to gain international attention and attract partners such as France, Japan, and South Korea, while still maintaining its ties with Beijing and Moscow. This strategy shows Mongolia’s ambition to shift from being a passive buffer state to a more active player in regional diplomacy, using its territory and infrastructure as strategic assets. President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh closed the COP17 conference on August 28, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar. Just three days later, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. While the COP17 event emphasized environmental restoration, the shift to discussions about energy supply and a proposed gas pipeline connecting Western Siberia to China highlights a unified effort to transform Mongolia’s role in the region. Mongolia faces significant environmental challenges, with 77% of its land considered degraded, affecting rural livelihoods and leading to migration to the capital. The COP17 conference, while not achieving a breakthrough in multilateral negotiations on an international drought instrument, succeeded in boosting Mongolia’s global image. It attracted around 25,000 participants, the largest international event organized by Mongolia since 2016. The event also showcased Mongolia’s initiatives, such as the "A Billion Trees" campaign, as part of a broader strategy to use climate commitments as a tool for soft power. This approach builds on the so-called "third neighbor" doctrine, which seeks to expand Mongolia’s diplomatic reach by engaging with countries beyond its immediate neighbors, including the United States, Japan, and the European Union. Mongolia’s environmental and energy strategies also involve China, its major trading partner. China supported the COP17 event and highlighted its own land restoration efforts. The meeting between Khürelsükh and Xi Jinping in Bishkek reaffirmed the importance of their relationship, particularly in energy security. Mongolia is seeking to diversify its fuel imports, which have traditionally come from Russia, by increasing purchases from Chinese state-owned oil companies. This move aims to reduce dependency on a single supplier. The Power of Siberia 2 project, a proposed gas pipeline through Mongolia, is another example of Mongolia’s efforts to balance its relationships with China and Russia. While the project has political backing, its implementation faces challenges, including pricing disputes and concerns over national security. Mongolia is also attracting interest from other countries, such as France and Japan, through investments in renewable energy and mineral resources. These efforts highlight Mongolia’s attempt to use its position between major powers to build a more diverse and resilient diplomatic and economic strategy.