The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. This significant gathering brings together representatives from 197 parties to address pressing issues related to land degradation, desertification, and drought. It aims to accelerate global efforts in land restoration and enhance resilience against drought, with a focus on sustainable land management and combating desertification.

China is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification in the world. Over the years, China's efforts to combat desertification and promote harmony between humans and nature have left a profound impression on the world. At COP16, a special China Pavilion was established, covering an area of 608 square meters, making it the largest national-themed pavilion apart from that of the host country. This marks the first time China has showcased its achievements in desertification control and the "Three-North Shelterbelt Program" overseas.

As a part of the program, the Saihanba lies where the North China Plain meets the Mongolian Plateau with an average altitude of 1,500 meters. With the three generations of local residents making painstaking efforts in planting trees, Saihanba now has the largest artificial forest in the world that can tackle desertification and land degradation. Check out the video to learn about this green miracle.

(Cover is a screenshot.)