Editor's note: Stephen Ndegwa, a special commentator for CGTN, is the executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based communications development think tank. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh comes at a critical time when desertification continues to threaten ecosystems, economies, and the livelihoods of over two billion people worldwide.

According to the United Nations, land degradation costs the global economy approximately $400 billion annually in lost productivity. Climate change is worsening the problem, with higher temperatures, prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns accelerating the loss of arable land. Amid this crisis, China's extraordinary success in combating desertification stands out as a powerful model for the world.

China, historically one of the countries severely affected by desertification, has reversed the tide through bold, science-driven policies and grassroot action. At the heart of this transformation is the "Three-North Shelterbelt Project" in northeast China, an ambitious afforestation initiative often called the "Green Great Wall."

Launched in 1978, the project spans over 4.9 million square kilometers across northern, northwestern and northeastern China, areas once plagued by relentless sandstorms and encroaching deserts. Over the decades, this effort has rehabilitated more than 6.6 million hectares of degraded land, stabilized the edges of major deserts and dramatically reduced the frequency and severity of sandstorms in northern China.

Since the project's inception, more than 66 billion trees have been planted. Forest coverage in the Three-North regions has risen from just 5 percent in 1977 to nearly 13 percent, and vegetation coverage in key desertified zones has reached 55 percent. Northern China, which once faced the annual threat of devastating sandstorms, now experiences a more stable climate and fewer environmental disasters.

For instance, in the Kubuqi Desert, located in northwestern China, vegetation now covers over one-third of the landscape, transforming what was once barren land into a thriving ecosystem. The desert has become a globally recognized model of ecological restoration, earning accolades from international organizations like the United Nations Environment Program.

China's multifaceted approach is the key to its success. The government has implemented stringent policies to curb activities that exacerbate desertification, such as overgrazing and deforestation. Laws regulating land use have been complemented by subsidies and financial incentives for farmers and local communities to adopt sustainable practices.

Technology also plays a critical role. Advanced tools such as satellite monitoring have enabled authorities to track desertification trends in real time, ensuring timely and targeted interventions. Innovations in irrigation, including water-saving drip systems, have made afforestation viable.

The development of drought-resistant plant species has further bolstered these initiatives. In the Taklimakan Desert, for example, ecological engineering techniques, such as the construction of sandbreaks, have stabilized vast areas of drifting sands, protecting nearby communities and infrastructure.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of China's strategy is its emphasis on community involvement. Millions of rural residents have been mobilized to participate in tree planting, soil conservation and the adoption of eco-friendly livelihoods. In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China, farmers have turned to cultivating wolfberries, also known as goji berries, which thrive in arid conditions and contribute to both ecological restoration and economic stability. This grassroot engagement ensures that the efforts are not only effective but also sustainable, as local communities take ownership of the land they help restore.

China has also demonstrated that environmental restoration can drive economic growth. Rehabilitated deserts now host industries such as solar farms, which take advantage of the abundant sunlight in arid regions. The Kubuqi Desert, for example, generates around 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of solar power annually, contributing to China's renewable energy goals. Additionally, industries such as medicinal plant cultivation and eco-tourism are flourishing in areas once considered wastelands.

The global community has much to learn from China's experience. Combating desertification requires long-term commitment, as evidenced by the decades-long progress of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project. Equally important is the recognition that environmental restoration and economic development are not mutually exclusive. By integrating ecological goals with economic opportunities, China has made desertification control a win-win proposition.

With climate change amplifying the desertification crisis, the conference, themed "Our land, our future," offers a unique opportunity to replicate and adapt successful models like China's while fostering international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and funding mechanisms.

China's fight against desertification proves that reversing land degradation is not only possible but transformative. The global community must act with urgency and unity. The theme of this year's UNCCD conference is a powerful reminder that the fate of our planet's arid and semi-arid regions is inextricably linked to the future of humanity itself. By learning from China's example and committing to bold, coordinated action, we can ensure that our land, and our future, are safeguarded for our progeny.

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