Recently, Professor Zhang Shouhong, Dean of the School of Soil and Water Conservation at Beijing Forestry University (BFU) and a Chinese delegate to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the UNCCD, was interviewed by CGTN on global land degradation challenges and responses. 

Noting that land degradation has affected 40% of the world's land and threatens food, water and livelihood security, Professor Zhang stressed that the core task at COP17 is to shift from "whether to act" to "how to act, who pays and who implements". He called for breakthroughs in three areas: locally adapted technical solutions, cross-ministerial institutional integration of land governance, and innovative financing to unlock global carbon and climate funds. 

Professor Zhang attributed China's notable desertification control achievements to a synergistic six-in-one governance system. He highlighted BFU's pioneering research on shelterbelt systems and mobile sand dune management, which forms a key part of the replicable "China solution" with technologies embedded in all stages of ecological governance. 

He also urged more open and pragmatic global cooperation under the UNCCD framework to translate commitments into tangible action. BFU reaffirmed its dedication to ecological progress and readiness to partner with global peers to "restore land, restore hope". 

Report link: Chinese COP17 delegate on desertification fight https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-19/Chinese-COP17-delegate-on-desertification-fight-1PK3R0n7LCo/index.html 

Written by Song He
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang