XIEG Signs Agreement at Greater Altai International Conference for Subregional Cooperation

On May 20, the Greater Altai International Conference on Subregional Cooperation was held in Altay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bringing together government and business representatives from Xinjiang, and relevant regions of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia, to explore pathways for regional development and cooperation.

MA Xingrui, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, attended the conference and delivered the opening address. He emphasized that Xinjiang is the core area of the Belt and Road Initiative, the key Eurasian corridor, and a vital gateway for China’s westward opening. He stated that China is committed to implementing the important consensus reached by the heads of state, and to being harmonious neighbors, trustworthy friends, and mutually beneficial partners. He expressed the hope that all parties would work together to promote broader and deeper exchanges and cooperation and to jointly build a brighter future for the Greater Altai subregion. Erkin Tuniyaz, Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, delivered the keynote speech. He noted, "Xinjiang and the Greater Altai subregion share the geographic proximity, cultural ties, complementary industrial structures, and similar resource endowments. We are committed to advancing regional cooperation with a more proactive and mutually beneficial approach, building a closer network of shared interests, and working together to promote high-quality economic and social development."

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Jilili Abuduwaili from XIEG, and Prof. Dana Shokparova from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University signed a cooperation agreement on Research on Climate Change, Ecological Security Remote Sensing Monitoring, Assessment, and Collaborative Management in the China-Kazakhstan Greater Altai Region. The project will utilize satellite remote sensing and other advanced technologies to systematically monitor and assess the transboundary ecological environment, thereby providing scientific support for sustainable regional development.

Signing agreement at the opening ceremony

During the conference, the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, and Department of Ecology and Environment of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region jointly hosted a thematic session on the Integrated Development of Science, Education, Ecology and Agriculture. More than 110 experts and scholars from the four participating countries engaged in in-depth discussions on regional cooperation. Twenty-four experts introduced their projects and proposed future cooperation suggestions. Prof. Alim Samat from XIEG introduced progress of China-Kazakhstan cooperation on climate change research. Prof. LI Wenjun shared plans for a joint biodiversity conservation study with researchers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.

The conference reached a series of cooperation agreements and outlined clear directions, strategies, and specific measures for further collaboration. Key priorities include strengthening cooperation in education, science, and technology; sharing China’s experience and achievements in innovation; promoting exchanges among youth and academic communities; and co-hosting and participating in major cultural and artistic events.

The Greater Altai sub-region serves as a vital ecological corridor connecting China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. In recent years, supported by initiatives such as the Third Comprehensive Scientific Expedition in Xinjiang, XIEG has carried out a series of studies in the region on water resource management and biodiversity conservation, providing important scientific support for sustainable regional development.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn