China's Elion brings experience in combating desertification to UN conference

BEIJING, July 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- China's Elion Resources Group recently attended the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms held by the United Nations Environment Program in Iran, and shared its internationally recognized success story in ecological restoration at Kubuqi, China's seventh largest desert.

Wang Wenbiao, board chairman of Elion Group, joined over 300 government officials and technical experts from 43 countries at the conference to discuss global challenges in fighting sand and dust storms and how the "Kubuqi model" could potentially benefit countries that are faced with challenges in terms of damage to the environment, climate, health, livelihoods, agriculture, and the social and economic well-being of societies.

Commenting on Elion's achievements in Kubuqi, where over 6,000 sq-km of desert has been restored in the past three decades, UNEP executive director Erik Solheim said that China's success in reforesting Kubuqi Desert has provided ideas for other countries battling desertification, and the main inspiration was that instead of looking at desertification as a problem, it should be viewed as an opportunity for economic development.

The "Kubuqi Model" became a center of attention at the conference because sand and dust have become a global issue, and as a UNEP policy report says the core of the success at Kubuqi is its sustainable business model, and the establishment of a system that incorporates policy instruments, investment from the private sector and active participation of locals.

Wang Wenbiao, Chairman of Elion Resources Group, told the conference that Elion's efforts were in line with the Chinese government's vision of green development as advocated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.  He said that Elion's success revealed some important lessons for desert restoration and it is critical to adopt a systematic approach to seek synergies between restoration, biological diversity and economic development.

At the United Nations, Wang Wenbiao is regarded as a champion in the fight against global sand and dust storms. The UNEP is also working with China to set up an International Coalition for Green Development on the Belt and Road to promote renewable energy, encourage greener infrastructure, industries and tourism.

During the three-day conference, representatives from Iran, Pakistan, Korea and other countries expressed strong interest in working with Elion and China and leverage Elion's experiences in combating desertification, and related challenges such as climate change and ecological sustainability.

SOURCE Elion