The 7th Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) was scheduled from 26-28 July 2019, at the Kubuqi International Desert Forum Center, Inner Mongolia, China. Themed with “Greening the Belt and Road, the Building of Ecological Civilization”, the forum focused on issues causing major concern in the international community, including cooperation on desertification prevention in countries along the “Belt and Road”, climate change, poverty alleviation, innovation and development of green finance, and biodiversity and desertification control.
The forum was attended by over 400 high-level officials from both governments and international organizations, as well as domestic and international scientists, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, economists and media representatives. Apart from the main forum, there were also other panels sessions, as well as activities including field study, exhibitions and business dinners.
In a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, he noted that Kubuqi is a successful practice of China in desertification control, and KIDF is an important platform to achieve the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The KIDF is the only large international forum in the world that is dedicated to promoting global desertification control and green economic development. Since its inception in 2007, this biennial forum has been held successfully on seven occasions.
The KIDF is jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment and the UNCCD Secretariat, with the support of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. It is co-hosted by the Municipal Government of Ordos and the Elion Foundation.
Professor Fred Dubee, the director of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) international working committee let a delegation of CBCGDF attend the 7th KIDF. During the event, Fred met with officials from the organizers, the United Nations agencies, representatives of academic sectors, multiple stakeholders, etc. Fred also led the delegation took part in the forum’s side events, including a field trip to China Kubuqi desert ecological economic zone, attended the senior academic panel discussions, joined the gala dinner, as well as visited a science and technology exhibition, explored the legendary path of Marco Polo, and learned about the years intellectual youth fighting against the desert, and wandered a bit in the exotic flowers and grasses blooming in the four season. Last but not least, attended the UNCCD Land for Life Award Ceremony 2019, and exchanged with the winners!
On behalf of CBCGDF, Fred also expressed his points of view toward the forum, about desertification control, about the international cooperation along the Belt and Road, and other topics. These will be detailed in a later piece.
Below is some glimpse from the joining of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) in this 7th KIDF led by Professor Fred Dubee.
(Photo credit: CBCGDF)
With Caroline Galipeau, Land for Life Programme, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
With UNCCD representative Jia Xiaoxia (left) and winner of First prize of 2019 Land for Life Award: MERET project of the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia
At the gala dinner with the former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and former Executive Secretary AEWA Bert Lenten (middle) and CBCGDF representatives
With Sha Zukang the former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and his wife and Bert Lenten
Graphene for better plant development
With Kubuqi guides university students from Baotou, Inner Mongolia
(Photos credit: Fred Dubee and CBCGDF, please indicate the source.)
By / Niu Jingmei