Kazakhstan Delegation Visits XIEG to Advance Cooperation in Arid-zone Ecological Restoration and Shelterbelt Development

A nine-member delegation from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan visited the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG) on July 23, 2026. During the visit, the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions.

Prof. DUAN Weili, Deputy Director of XIEG, chaired the meeting with a warm welcome. He provided an overview of XIEG’s research advancements and international collaborative efforts in arid-zone ecological governance, sustainable water resources utilization, and desertification control.

Prof. WANG Yongdong, Deputy Director of the National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, delivered a presentation on the progress of the Astana Shelterbelt Project.

As a major ecological initiative implemented by Kazakhstan to improve the ecological environment of its capital and curb sandstorm disasters, the Astana Shelterbelt Project has long garnered professional scientific and technological support from XIEG. The institute has provided technical guidance in species selection and breeding, afforestation techniques and efficient irrigation methods, supporting the successful establishment of a 20-hectare demonstration shelterbelt.

Ms. Aladbergenova Dana, Director of the Low-Carbon Development Management Division under the Department of Climate Policy, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, expressed her appreciation to XIEG. “The Astana Shelterbelt Project has become a flagship achievement of our ministry,” she noted. “We look forward to further deepening our long-term partnership with XIEG scientists to jointly build a greener Central Asia.”

Representatives from the Ecology and Environment Department and the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region also delivered speeches respectively, exchanging views on ecological conservation and forestry development in Xinjiang.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions focusing on arid-zone ecological restoration, shelterbelt construction, and future directions for cooperation during the open discussion session.

This visit has further consolidated and strengthened China-Kazakhstan scientific and technological cooperation in the fields of ecology and environment. Moving forward, XIEG will continue to leverage its expertise in arid-zone ecological management and serve as a key bridge for promoting China’s desertification control technologies internationally, advancing the vision of the green Belt and Road Initiative.

Discussion at XIEG. (Image by XIEG)

Contact

HUANG

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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