Training Workshop Titled "Sustainable Water and Land-use in Arid Regions with RS-GIS Applications Support Based on Chinese Expertise" Successfully Held in Kazakhstan
2024-11-04
The COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) and Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) successfully organized the training workshop, titled "Sustainable Water and Land-use in Arid Regions with RS-GIS Applications support based on Chinese Expertise", in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 12-16 August 2024. The workshop had patronage of the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) that graciously provided funding for the event, as well as support of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) Secretariat. Collaborators from Kazakhstan included, Kazakh British Technical University (KBTU) and Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU).
Over 350 researchers and subject experts from various countries, including, Benin, Belgium, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Tanzania, benefited from the training that was held in hybrid mode.
The main objective of the workshop was to train the trainers, especially college and university instructors and practitioners working with communities and farmers on environmental issues, and to provide support to communities to deal with emergency situations, mitigate and reduce disaster risks. The training was based on Chinese expertise in RS-GIS applications and modeling that allowed the individuals to upgrade their skill to the level of an expert.
The opening ceremony of the workshop was held on 12th August 2024. Dr. Toqeer Ahmed, Visiting Researcher, XIEG, CAS, China and CUI, Pakistan, made welcome remarks at the ceremony, which also included remarks by leaders representing various participating organizations.
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director COMSATS, in his opening address, emphasized the importance of sustainable water and land-use in arid regions, highlighting the critical role of innovative technologies, such as RS-GIS. He acknowledged the wealth of expertise available with Chinese scholars and practitioners, urging the participants to make best use of the opportunity to leverage their knowledge for addressing the unique challenges faced by communities in arid regions. Ambassador Zakaria also underscored the need for wider collaboration and shared insights on how to develop resilient practices that can effectively combat the impacts of climate change and resource scarcity with an aim to ensure a sustainable future for all.
The workshop featured 18 presentations, primarily focused on RS-GIS applications in agriculture, EE Mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Emergency preparedness and the management of water and land resources. The subject experts and trainers, inter-alia, belonged to Belgium, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia. Engaging discussions and deliberations throughout the sessions promoted a vibrant exchange of ideas and facilitated knowledge sharing among participants. Both theoretical and hands-on sessions were held in dual language to make the training more effective.
The objectives of the workshop were in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), i.e., focusing on RS-GIS applications in sustainable agriculture that support biodiversity. The workshop contributed towards various Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-6 (Sustainable Water Management), and SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
The in-person participants of the workshop also visited the Sustainable Development and Environmental Management Research Centre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), and Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, in Almaty, and gained useful exposure and expertise.
Contact
LONG Huaping
Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography
E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn
Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn