Delegation from Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, Visits XIEG for Aral Sea Greening

A high-level delegation from Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan region visited the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on September 8, seeking to leverage China's expertise in ecological restoration and desertification control.

Berdiyar Jollibekov, Director of the Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies of Karakalpakstan, and Aybek Aminov, Chairman of the Forestry Committee of Karakalpakstan, engaged in extensive discussions with XIEG researchers. The two sides explored key technologies aimed at rehabilitating vegetation and combating desertification in Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea region.

The delegation also toured XIEG's Fukang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Desert Ecosystems. There, they witnessed firsthand experimental demonstrations on desert ecosystems and oasis agriculture.

Jollibekov expressed strong enthusiasm for enhanced collaboration with XIEG, envisioning comprehensive partnerships in research projects, joint publications, and the training of postgraduates.

Aminov specifically lauded XIEG's contributions to addressing the Aral Sea's severe ecological crisis. He articulated a clear aspiration for XIEG to extend its proven desertification control technologies and the "Xinjiang Model" to the practical management challenges facing the Aral Sea.

XIEG has amassed significant achievements and technologies in crucial areas such as the utilization of halophyte resources, saline-alkali land improvement, integrated ecological management, and comprehensive desertification control. The effectiveness of these technologies in ecological restoration within the Aral Sea region has garnered considerable recognition from the Government of Uzbekistan.

This visit follows a significant event in July 2024, when XIEG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies of Karakalpakstan. The MOU aims to bolster collaboration in scientific research and talent development, with both parties committed to providing vital scientific and technological support for the promotion of regional green development initiatives.

Bilateral Meeting

Visit to the Fukang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Desert Ecosystems

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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