XIEG Holds 63rd Salon for Scientific Exchange

On September 18, the Department of International Cooperation of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG), held the 63rd Salon for Scientific Exchange (SSE). The event featured Ms. Mieke Bourne, head of the Stakeholder Engagement with Evidence Hub at the Landscape Alliance, and Dr. Peter T. Gilruth, Senior Advisor for the Landscape Alliance Resource Mobilization Unit and PIFI visiting scholar at XIEG, as keynote speakers.

Under the theme of “Collaboration for Dryland Restoration of the Great Green Wall”, Ms. Bourne provided a systematic introduction to the Landscape Alliance’s work portfolio under the African Great Green Wall Initiative, with a focus on sharing experiences in advancing cooperation among sub-Saharan African countries in the field of green development through the implementation of international cooperation projects. She noted that effectively integrating scientific research into restoration investment, policy formulation, and on-the-ground practice is a key pathway to enhancing the effectiveness of dryland restoration.

Drawing on his experience in Africa and his collaboration with XIEG, Dr. Gilruth provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing dryland restoration in Africa, emphasizing the important role of remote sensing monitoring, early warning, and transboundary cooperation in combating desertification.

During the discussion session, participants engaged in in-depth exchanges with the two experts on topics including ecological restoration practices in the arid regions of Xinjiang and Central Asia, entry points for cooperation under the Great Green Wall Initiative, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

XIEG has long been dedicated to ecological restoration and desertification control in arid regions, with deep expertise in sand control and remote sensing monitoring.This salon focused on exploring the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between XIEG and the Landscape Alliance under the framework of the African Great Green Wall Initiative.

Experts from both sides exchanged views on potential areas of collaboration, including joint research, capacity building, and knowledge product development. These discussions provided new opportunities for XIEG to expand its cooperation network on drylands in Africa and contribute to global dryland restoration governance.

Ms. Mieke Bourne delivered her presentation. (Image by XIEG)

Dr. Peter T. Gilruth delivered his presentation. (Image by XIEG)

Contact

HUANG

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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