Ordos, a city in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has once again taken the global stage in desertification control at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which is currently underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Jirimutu delivers a keynote speech at the UNCCD COP17 Mayors' Forum. [Photo/Wechat account of Nuan News]
Jirimutu, vice-mayor of Ordos, delivered a keynote speech on Aug 21, presenting Ordos' practical achievements and approaches to combating desertification, and sharing the city's experience with the global community.
The Mayors' Forum is a key official side event of COP17. Co-organized by the Ulaanbaatar government, the UNCCD Secretariat, UN-Habitat, and Local Governments for Sustainability, it brought together local government leaders, international organizations, financial institutions, and researchers to translate global ecological goals into local, actionable, and long-term solutions.
During the forum, Jirimutu held discussions with government representatives from Nepal, Uganda, and Mongolia, as well as officials from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and other international bodies. They focused on land degradation, soil erosion, and more, analyzing their impact on urban livability, public health, and regional economic resilience while exploring effective pathways for global collaboration.
Beyond the Mayors' Forum, Ordos conducted promotional activities at the China Pavilion and various national side events. Through exhibitions, video footage, and brochures, the delegation showcased achievements in photovoltaic sand control, road-based sand control, engineering measures, and technology-driven restoration. They also exchanged views on desertification with the mayors of Ulaanbaatar and the governor of South Gobi province in Mongolia, as well as Russian government representatives.
Ordos delegates at the China Pavilion during UNCCD COP17. [Photo/Wechat account of Nuan News]
Ordos has hosted the UNCCD COP13, was the sole Chinese city to share its experience at UNCCD COP16, and has organized 10 consecutive Kubuqi International Desert Forums.
The Kubuqi desert control model has been successfully replicated not only in China's Xinjiang, Xizang, Qinghai, and Gansu but also introduced in Belt and Road countries such as Saudi Arabia and Mongolia.
