XIEG Joins Hands with PAGGW on Combatting Desertification in Africa

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Panafrican Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Sep. 15, opening a new chapter for the battle on African’s desertification.

The Memorandum came out at The 13th Session of the Conference of The Parties to The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification held in Erdos, Inner Mongolia.

With its half-century successful experience in desertification control, XIEG will provide technical support for the implementation of the African Great Green Wall (GGW).

The Great Green Wall is an African initiative led by the African Union to combat climate change and desertification. The project aims to improve the lives of millions of people by creating a great green productive landscape across the Sahel in North Africa.

In recent years, northern Africa has been suffering from arable land quality decline due to climate change and poor land management. This eventually led to the adoption of the GGW in 2005, making joint efforts on afforestation, ecological adaptation, poverty reduction and regional economic development in the involving countries.

XIEG will provide PAGGW with necessary support on staff training and research of agro-sylvo-pastoral ecosystem monitoring and evaluation, as well as the development of a monitoring and evaluation system through the Geographic Information System and the Early Warning System, according to LEI Jiaqiang, director of the XIEG.

“XIEG has gained rich experience in land upgrading, desertification control and ecological restoration during its half-century research. This will be a significant technical support for the implementation of the GGW,” said Abdoulaye DIA, Executive Secretary of PAGGW.

A workshop designed for training staff from nine GGW countries was held this July in Xinjiang. This is a fortnight training course, hoping to help promote the ability of desertification control staff involving the Great Green Wall in Africa.

“We are glad to see our experience gaining in desertification control taking roots in Africa and bearing fruit,” said LEI.