The closing ceremony for the high-level segment of the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 13) was held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Sept 12. 

The two-day segment discussed a group of issues at three round table meetings -- “Land and Degradation”, “Drought and Sandstorms” and “Land Degradation Neutrality” and three dialogues of “Gender and Land Rights”, “How Can Local Governments Help Address the Challenges of Land Degradation” and “How Can the Private Sector Invest to Help Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality”. 

The chairpersons of the round table meetings addressed the closing ceremony. And representatives from non-government organizations, local governments and private sectors announced the segment’s conclusions. 

A delegate from Canada delivered a speech on rejoining the UNCCD.

At the ceremony, UNCCD Executive Secretary Monique Barbut presented an award on behalf of the Secretariat to Zhang Jianlong, head of the State Forestry Administration, for his “unremitting efforts” in combating desertification.

She said China has made significant achievements on desertification prevention and control and provided experience, technologies and solutions towards global land degradation neutrality. 

Zhang thanked the secretariat for the award, adding that it’s an affirmation of both the Chinese government’s strategies and policies on desertification control and the long-term efforts and achievements made by the people in dryland areas.

He said China would implement the Belt and Road cooperative mechanism and join hands with countries suffering from severe desertification.

Before the closing, more than 130 high-profile officials and representatives planted spruce and pinus sylvestris trees in suburban Ordos.