Hohot, (Inner Mongolia -China) Aug 2: Eco-economy experts and foreign delegates eulogies China’s Desertification Control and Green Economic Development achievements saying successful “Kubuqi Model “could be replicated for building “greener” economies, and alleviating poverty in countries and regions along the Belt and Road. These views were expressed by participants attending the 6th Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) held from July 28-30 in the Kubuqi Desert in Ordos of North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a major section of China’s Belt and Road construction map.
Over 300 foreign delegates including government officials, enterprises, civil society organizations, international and non-governmental organizations, scholars and other stakeholders attended the forum, so far the world’s sole large-scale international forum, dedicated to promoting global desertification control and green economic development.
During the three-day forum, eco-economy experts from China and foreign countries brought innovative ideas and solutions to control the desertification. They discussed “Greening the Belt and Road, Sharing Desert Eco-economy,” desert eco-economy and industrial innovation along the Belt and Road, green industry and financial innovation along the Belt and Road, and poverty alleviation methods along the Belt and Road.
Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls Closer Cooperation on Fighting Desertification in BRI Regions
Chinese President Xi Jinping in his congratulatory letter to the Kubuqi Forum 2017 praised China’s achievements in fighting desertification, and urged the delegates to pool their wisdom for closer cooperation on fighting desertification among countries and regions participating in the BRI.
Desertification is a severe challenge facing the global community, Xi said, adding preventing and controlling desertification is a great cause that benefits both the current and future generations.
Xi said Kubuqi is a good example of China’s success in containing desertification and China offers its experience with the international community.
As the theme of this year’s forum is “Greening the Belt and Road, Sharing the desert eco-economy,” Xi said it is of great significance to jointly contribute to the building of a green Belt and Road and improvement of global ecological environment.
Kubuqi Model is Balanced Developments of Ecology, Economy and Livelihood: Ex-UN Official
A “Kubuqi mode” in desertification control has gradually taken shape over the past 30 years, featuring balanced developments of ecology, economy and livelihood. Countries with vulnerable ecological environment and severe land desertification along the B&R can use the “Kubuqi mode” for reference so as to repair ecological environment, improve livelihood and eliminate poverty, said Sha Zukang, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Kubuqi Model Symbolizes Enterprises Roles in Desert Control and Corporate Social Responsibility
Unlike previous mainly government-led ecological management featuring heavy investments of manpower and resources in desert control, Kubuqi recorded big transformations in operation modes and mechanisms, with enterprises playing key roles in desert control and corporate social responsibility construction, according to Wang Tao, president of the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Science.
Kubuqi’s Experience Model for Poverty Elimination
Yang Wenbin, chief expert of Desertification Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry, attributed Kubuqi’s success in desert control to innovated mechanism, saying local Elion Resources Group has played a leading role in local desert control and helped local residents eliminate poverty and Kubuqi’s experience in this regard can help countries along the B&R realize greener development.
Kubuqi Model a Public-Private-Partnership Embodiment for B&R
The “Kubuqi mode” is actually a public-private-partnership embodiment, which deserves wide publicity in B&R countries, said Pradeep Monga, Deputy Executive Secretary and Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
During the three-day forum, Chinese experts and enterprises offered to share their experiences with countries facing the challenge of desertification, and called to work together for the green mountains and rivers along the Belt and Road.
Chinese officials said “over the decades, China has made highly remarkable progress in transforming the barren Kubuqi Desert, the seventh largest desert in China, covering an area of 18,600 square kilometers, into a green space, green economy and a prosperous land. A staggering 102,000 people have been lifted out of poverty as well.”
In September, China will host a United Nations meeting on fighting desertification in Inner Mongolia, where a road-map is expected to be drafted, outlining aims and plans on how to end desert expansion by 2030.
The Kubuqi International Desert Forum was organized jointly by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the State Forestry Administration and the Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment (UN Environment) and the UNCCD Secretariat, with the support of the China Economic and Social Council and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, with the Municipal Government of Ordos and the Elion Foundation as co-hosts.
Desertification is a worldwide problem, especially in countries of the Asia, Middle East and Africa, which can learn from China’s experience in combating it.
Kubuqi International Desert Forum 2017 not only highlighted the problems of a global dimension, but also offered insights for combating desertification and effective methods for improving the living conditions of people in dry-lands by restoring land and soil productivity and mitigating the effects of desertification.
Dr.Arif is Editor of NSN.Asia. He is also a professor of Journalism. His journalistic writings and news stories focus on Silk Road Spirit of cooperation. His reports and analysis highlights the connectivity and exchanges in Eurasia, and geo-economic affairs of emerging Asia, Global South.
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