The Kubuqi International Desert Forum Opens a New Chapter in Green Development | CBCGDF Delegation Attended the 7th Forum
2019/8/7 17:02:00 本站

The 7th Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) opened in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on July 26. It drew a full conclusion on July 28. Over the past few days, well-known experts and scholars from all over the world and china have participated in activities such as the economic and ecological investigation of the Kubuqi Desert, carried out scientific and technological innovation and ecological restoration forums, promoted practical technology and experience in desertification control in China, conducted the Kubuqi Green Finance Sub-Forum, the dialogue on the Green Belt and Road and a Community of Shared Future for Mankind Forum, and other activities. It successfully completed the various agendas and achieved fruitful results.

 

On the opening ceremony of the Forum, Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan, read a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivered a speech.

 

“In his congratulatory letter, President Xi Jinping explained the significance of desertification control to the sustainable development of mankind and proposed to strengthen international cooperation in preventing and controlling desertification, which gives us more confidence and motivation to build consensus, deepen exchanges, and create a harmonious and beautiful world.” Sun said.

 

She added that after long-term and persistent efforts, China has made achievements in desertification control and created miracles of turning deserts into oases, realizing the goal of no growth in land degradation by 2030 ahead of schedule.

 

“China will uphold the concept of clear waters and green mountains are mountains of gold and silver to strengthen the construction of ecological civilization,” Sun said.

 

“We will implement the most stringent protection system, strengthen scientific and technological support for the prevention and control of desertification and get the whole society involved to form a virtuous circle between ecological protection and people’s livelihood and to unify ecological, economic and social benefits.”

 

Desertification control requires joint efforts from the international community, and China will adhere to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in ecological civilization, Sun said.

 

China will also exchange ideas and experience in desertification control, make joint efforts with the world in scientific research and promote exchange of visits, boosting global desert governance along with the world, Sun said.


The UNCCD Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw stated that the Forum demonstrates the power of partnerships at every level in tackling issues related to desertification and land degradation, such as biodiversity loss, climate change and social inequality. Mr. Thiaw also delivered the message from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stressed the utmost importance of reversing land degradation and desertification to meet the challenge of deepening climate emergency and rapid population growth. Mr. Guterres also remarked that the Forum is an opportunity to share and scale up success stories in and beyond China.


In the afternoon of 27 July, a ceremony to honor the 2019 Land for Life (L4L) Award winners took place. Mr. Thiaw and the President of Elion Foundation Mr. Wang Wenbiao congratulated the winners and presented trophies to recognize decades of dedicated work and lasting impact in land restoration and sustainable management. 

 

The Kubuqi Model: A Chinese solution to desertification

 

Kubuqi is the seventh largest desert in China, covering an area of 18,600 square kilometers. It was once the source of frequent sandstorms hitting Beijing.

 

Over the past three decades, farmers and herdsmen in Kubuqi planted Chinese medicinal herbs, such as licorice, to improve soil, built photovoltaic power stations for electricity and fostered tourism.

 

These efforts not only contributed to the greening of more than 6,000 square kilometers of Kubuqi, but also lifted 102,000 people out of poverty.

 

Since the 1980s, a number of measures has been implemented in Kubuqi to bring degraded land back to life, resulting in 6,000 square kilometers of restored land as well as financial gain of over 500 billion Yuan (approximately USD72 billion).

The core of success at Kubuqi is its sustainable business model and the establishment of a system that incorporates policy instruments, private sector investment and active participation of locals, according to a policy report from the United Nations Environment Program.

 

The greening project in Kubuqi has offered a model for the world to tackle desertification, said representatives of the UNCCD.

 

A delegation from China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) led by the senior advisor Prof. Fred Dubee attended the 7th KIDF (see details: http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/NewsShow/5012/9384.html).


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(Photo credit: China Daily)


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(Photo source: Internet)


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(Photo credit: CBCGDF)


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CBCGDF delegation visited the Kubuqi desert ecological economic zone. (Photo credit: Fred Dubee)


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Fred attended the Academic Forum (Photo credit: CBCGDF)


By / Niu Jingmei