The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Successfully Held in Riyadh

The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was Held in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On December 9, local time, during the conference, the China Society of Desertification Control held a side event titled Scientific and Technological Innovation in Combating Desertification Supports Green and Sustainable Development” Side Event, which showcased China's successful experiences in combating desertification and engaged in discussions with representatives from around the world on issues related to desertification control, technological innovation, and high-quality development.

Huang Caiyi, Director-General of the Department of Desertification Control of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, stated that combating desertification is an essential pathway to achieving global sustainable development and a shared aspiration of the international community. As one of the countries most severely affected by desertification, China has always placed a high priority on desertification prevention and control. The nation has continuously advanced comprehensive desertification control measures and key ecological projects such as the "Three-North Shelterbelt Program." To date, 53% of treatable desertified land nationwide has been effectively restored, creating a virtuous cycle of ecological protection and livelihood improvement, and contributing significantly to the global fight against desertification. Notably, in the 30 years since signing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), China has diligently fulfilled its obligations under the convention, consistently offering "China wisdom" to the global effort.

The meeting was co-hosted by Lu Qi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Society, Counselor of the State Council, and Director of the Three-North Research Institute, and Lü Ruiqing, Director of the Yulin Forestry and Grassland Bureau.

Yang Wenbin, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Society, delivered the opening speech and presented a report titled "New Advances in China's Desertification Control Technologies and Sand Industry."

Sidina Ould Ahmed Ely, Director of the Mauritanian African Great Green Wall Office, delivered a report titled "Green Technology, Green Future."

Wang Tao, Vice President of the Society and Researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a report titled "China's Desertification Control."

Cao Haibin, Executive Deputy Director of the Photovoltaic Desertification Control Professional Committee of the Society and Party Committee Member and Deputy General Manager of State Power Investment Corporation Beijing Electric Power Co., Ltd., delivered a report titled "Integration of New Energy and Desertification Ecological Management: An Innovative Path to Sustainable Desertification Control."

Sun Jing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Society and Project Director of the Beijing Entrepreneur Environmental Protection Foundation, delivered a report titled "Digital Management Supporting Desertification Control: The Case of 100 Million Saxaul Trees."

Li Shouke, Secretary-General of the Camellia Oil Tree Industry Special Committee of the Society and General Manager of Shandong Woqi Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., delivered a report titled "Camellia Oil Tree – Combating Desertification and Drought."

Jessie Ma, Council Member of the Society and General Manager of Qingdao SOCO New Materials Co., Ltd., delivered a report titled "The Role of SOCO Soil Hydrogel in Promoting Plant Growth in Desert Soils."

Yang Shuhai, Council Member of the Society and Executive President of Heilongjiang Runrunquan Water-Saving Irrigation Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., delivered a report titled "Application of Water-Saving Irrigation Systems in Desertification Control."

After the meeting, international participants engaged in exchanges and made speeches.