Forum supported by United Nations

According to official sources in Kubuqi, the purpose of the forum is to seek greater support for desertification control. The forum is co-organised by the United Nations Environment, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese State Forestry Administration and People’s Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is co-hosted by the Municipal People’s Government of Ordos and Elion Foundation. Meanwhile, the Kubuqi international desert forum, KIDF organizing committee on June 12 held a press conference in Beijing to prepare for the event.

Issues for discussion

It is understood that the forum will discuss cooperation in desertification prevention and control in countries along the Belt and Road. Other topics are progress in desert ecological technologies, innovation and development of green finance, and desertification control and poverty alleviation. A field trip will also be organized, including visits to the ecological photovoltaic industry, Amugulong licorice demonstration site, desert ecological technology center, and Narisha tree-planting exhibition.

Desertification best practices

A portion of Kubuqi desert now transformed into arable land

“We hope to use the opportunity to share desertification governance experiences with other countries, especially nations struggling with sandstorms and desertification. We also want to strengthen cooperation amongst countries in order to cope with desertification challenges and achieve the goal of “Greening the Belt and Road,” said a Chinese official closely involved in organising the forum.

Building connections along Belt and Road

“After 30 years of experience in desertification prevention and control, we have drawn up a plan to upgrade the Kubuqi Model. We are preparing a roadmap to promote benefit-sharing as well as create a defining vision for building a desert eco-economy demonstration zone. We are committed to building strategic connections with interested countries and regions along the “Belt and Road.” Our objective is to benefit people affected by desertification, and to contribute to the aspirations of UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” the source said.

A third of Kubuqi desrt has since been turned into a vast oasis

Center for desert green economy

United Nations Environment and Elion Foundation last month set up the Belt and Road desert green economy innovation center in Kubuqi. It is UN Environment’s response to the China-driven Belt and Road Initiative. It is also a milestone for Elion’s goal to “pioneer the development of desert green economy and exploit green living space for human beings.”

Kimeng Hilton Ndukong is Sub-Editor for World News with Cameroon Tribune bilingual daily newspaper in Cameroon. He is currently on media attachment with People’s Daily Online in English.