Ordos shares experience in combating desertification at UNCCD COP 16

Juramt, the vice-mayor of Ordos, shares the city's innovative approaches to comprehensive desertification control at the UNCCD COP 16. [Photo/Nuan News]

Ordos, the sole representative city from China, participated in the Mayor's Forum on Dec 6, during the "Governance Day" event at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The forum focused on critical issues such as desertification, land degradation, water scarcity, and drought, as well as how cities and local governments can address challenges related to food security and overall quality of life.

Juramt, the vice-mayor of Ordos, shared the city's innovative approaches to comprehensive desertification control, new drivers for industrial development, scientific greening and sand control technologies, and eco-benefit models that promote green development and prosperity.

He emphasized that Ordos has developed effective solutions for combating desertification that have garnered significant international attention. These solutions offer valuable examples for regions worldwide facing similar challenges.

Once plagued by severe sandstorms and land degradation, Ordos has transformed from a "sea of death" into one of China's most ecologically competitive cities and a global biodiversity hotspot. The Kubuqi Desert and Mu Us Sandy Land in its jurisdiction have achieved rehabilitation rates of 40 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Ordos has been at the forefront of desertification control for years, continuously sharing its advanced practices with the world.

The city hosted the UNCCD COP 13 in 2017 and has since held nine consecutive Kubuqi International Desert Forums.

The Kubuqi Desert treatment model, recognized as a successful practice in China's desertification control efforts, was included in the "Ordos Declaration" drafted by representatives from over 190 countries.

Ordos has also collaborated with the United Nations Environment Programme to establish the "Belt and Road" Green Desert Economy Innovation Center.

The Kubuqi Desert Ecological Treatment Zone has been designated a "global desert economy demonstration zone," proactively sharing its desertification control experience with similar regions along the "Belt and Road." At the Paris Climate Conference, the success of the Kubuqi Desert treatment was highlighted as a "Chinese example."