The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences signed a quadrilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation on afforestation at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) on December 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The MoU was an agreement between the XIEG, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania (MEDD), the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and the Sinoway Forest Technology, Co., Ltd (Sinoway).

According to the MoU, XIEG will provide consulting services and technical support for the establishment of a 10,000-hectare forest, contributing to Mauritania's national efforts to prevent desertification and increase carbon sequestration.

The afforestation project aims to enhance the ecological environment and improve local livelihoods by using native plant species and generating economic benefits for local communities.

This project will be integrated into the Great Green Wall (GGW) Initiative in Africa.

Mauritania, where the Sahara meets the Sahel, faces severe desertification with 84% of its land covered by deserts. XIEG initiated an "Action Plan for China to Support the Realization of Africa's Great Green Wall" years ago. Over the past decade, the institute has held several training workshops and mentored more than 10 master and doctoral students from GGW countries.

XIEG also built a China-Africa Green Technology Park in Mauritania, covering an area of four hectares, showcasing China's technologies and expertise to GGW countries.

The four parties signing the MoU (Image by XIEG)