Experts attending the 6th Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) say China's desertification control achievements can help countries along the Belt and Road develop in a "greener" way.
The forum, so far the world's sole large-scale international forum dedicated to promoting global desertification control and green economic development, was opened this Saturday and attended by over 300 participants in the Kubuqi Desert in Ordos of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a key section of China's Belt and Road construction map.
Themed on "Greening the Belt and Road, Sharing Desert Eco-economy," the forum champions "B&R" desert eco-economy and industrial innovation, "B&R" green industry and financial innovation, and poverty alleviation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The KIDF is 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.