XIEG Holds 42nd Salon for Scientific Exchange

On June 5, the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences held the 42nd "Salon for Scientific Exchange" (SSE), featuring Dr. Peter T. Gilruth, Senior Advisor at World Agroforestry, as a keynote speaker. The event attracted over 30 experts, scholars, and students from China and abroad.

Dr. Gilruth made a presentation titled "Historical perspectives on desertification and land degradation: Politics and Science", focusing on Africa's governance experience and the United Nations' early policy-science integration efforts from a global perspective. He summarized China's anti-desertification processes into three phases: from initial exploration to large-scale ecological projects like the "Three-North Shelter Forest Program," and finally to alignment with international standards. "Xinjiang makes advances in sand-fixation techniques, particularly the straw checkerboard method, providing replicable models for arid regions worldwide," Dr. Gilruth noted. "China would take a lead in achieving the goal of Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. "

A thought-provoking discussion followed on adapting China's technologies to African contexts. The event provided participants with valuable insights on the history and prospects of global efforts to combat desertification.

Dr. Gilruth has worked for UNDP, UNEP, and ICRAF, with more than 35 years of experience spanning UN agencies, academia, and private sectors. His expertise covers environmental program design, funding, implementation, and evaluation across multiple continents.

Peter Gilruth gives his presentation. (Image by XIEG)

Participants at the event. (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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