The 17th UN Conference to Combat Desertification is underway, and scientists are pushing for urgent global action. On the sidelines, the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions, known as ANSO, collaborated with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS) and experts and partners, has released a major initiative targeting fragile dryland ecosystems. The group warns that rapid land degradation directly threatens global food, water, and ecological security. To fight back, ANSO is calling for five critical actions: deepening global cooperation, strengthening science-led governance, boosting AI innovation, engaging local youth, and securing fresh funding for green technology. Experts emphasize that cross-border collaboration and data-driven decisions are now the only way to safeguard these vulnerable regions.

LIU WEIDONG Executive Director of ANSO "The causes and conditions of desertification differ around the world, but there are valuable experiences we can share. By using digital technologies and artificial intelligence, we can compile global expertise into a shared knowledge base and adapt these solutions to local conditions in different regions."

DR. PETER GILRUTH Former Chief Scientist of UNEP "So, I think the main thing about this report is that it brings together the science, it brings together regional perspectives, and it puts those together to come up with solutions and a way forward for combating desertification. I think the key word is the word 'governance'. Governance a show we interact with each other, how we get information from those who we want to help."

ACADEMICIAN DEMBEREL SODNOMSAMBUU President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences "And not only these students are working together, and the young researchers, Mongolian scientists is working in Chinese institute, Chinese professor is coming here, giving lectures, it's really very tight, very good relationship. It's really good example, good experience for other countries." (CGTN)