Kubuqi International Desert Forum
The Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) is the only large international forum in the world that is dedicated to promoting global desertification control and green economic development. Since its inception in 2007, this biennial forum has been held successfully on five occasions. At the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Namibia in September 2013, the KIDF created by China was recognized in the conference report as a major instrument and platform for achieving the strategic goals of the UNCCD. In February 2014, the Chinese Central Government approved the KIDF as a large national institutional forum for foreign affairs.
The KIDF is jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the State Forestry Administration and the Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment (UN Environment) and the UNCCD Secretariat, with the support of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. It is co-hosted by the Municipal Government of Ordos and the Elion Foundation.
Offering a valuable opportunity for open exchanges on desertification control technologies and experience, as well as international cooperation, the Forum has become a globally recognized platform to exhibit China’s innovative technologies and models for desert economic development,demonstrating the prominent achievements China has made in promoting ecological progress with practicable philosophies. The Forum is also a manifestation of the strong commitment of China as a responsible power in mitigating climate change.
With extensive attention and support from the international community, the KIDF, in its last five sessions, received congratulatory video messages and letters for its outstanding achievements from the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and were attended by senior Chinese political figures and high-level officials from both the governments and international organizations across the world.
The 6th Kubuqi International Desert Forum is scheduled from July 28 to 30, 2017, as one of the major activities contributing to the agenda of the COP 13. Themed with “Greening the Belt and Road, Sharing Desert Eco-economy”, the 2017 Forum will focus on the major issues causing major concern in the international community, including cooperation on desertification control and prevention in countries along the “Belt and Road”, advances in desert ecological technologies, innovation and development of green finance, and desertification control and poverty alleviation. The 2017 Forum will be attended by over 500 high-level officials from both governments and international organizations, as well as domestic and international scientists, business leaders, successful entrepreneurs, economists, artists and media representatives.
