China, Arab nations establish research center to solve desertification, land degradation

As part of the important efforts to be made in combating desertification, the China-Arab International Research Center for Drought, Desertification, and Land Degradation's establishment was agreed upon at the Ninth Kubuqi International Desert Forum on Saturday. 

Government representatives in attendance at the meeting signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on building the center and launched the first batch of collaborative projects, including the Greening of the Upgrading Projects for Saudi New Cites and Exporting Knowhow to other Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, and Saudi 10 billion Trees and Shrubs Nursery, Plantation, and Eco-Solar Desert Control Engineering Projects.

 Participants at the forum, including representatives from UN agencies, foreign political figures, and leaders from relevant ministries and commissions said that China's desertification control has achieved continuous improvement in the ecological and economic conditions of sandy areas and provided China's plan for global desertification control.

"I had the privilege of visiting the extraordinary landscapes of the Ordos region. I witnessed firsthand the remarkable socioeconomic and ecological restoration, an inspiring example for the regions around the world, struggling against land degradation, desiccation, and decimation," Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said at the forum.

Mahmoud Fathallah, director of the Department of Environmental and Meteorology Affairs of the League of Arab States, pointed out that the output of science research is important to combat desertification, in which case China has excellent experience. The Arab League is trying to work with China to allow research institutions in Arab countries to further exchange experiences with Chinese researchers.

China is one of the leading countries in desertification control and dust storm reduction, and the country also has a wide range of technologies that can be exemplars for Mongolia and the rest of the world, said Zoljargal Sainbuyan, senior international cooperation officer for Mongolia's National Forest Agency. By working with other countries, China is helping to solve regional problems facing many developing countries, such as desertification and climate change, the official said.

China is the first country in the world to realize the "zero growth" of land degradation, and the "double reduction" of desertified and sandy lands, which continues to positively contribute toward achieving the global goal of zero growth in land degradation by 2030.  

International figures have said that China attaches great importance to desertification control and sand prevention and treatment, and has accumulated rich experience in the process, as well as industrial advantages in technology, materials, and equipment, setting up an international model of ecological management.