During the keynote session, Professor Yu Xiang and Professor Lei Jiaqiang from XIEG put forward recommendations for follow‑up activities under the ANSO Initiative. Dr. Balt Suvdantsetseg from MAS presented a practical win‑win solution for rangeland restoration and livelihood improvement suited to drylands in Central Asia. Director Dash-Ochir Batmagnai from environmental agency, governmental office of the Gobi-Altai province, Mongolia, and Researcher Yuan Hongbo from the Desertification Control Research Institute of Gansu province (China) shared local‑level practices and ongoing challenges with the public, and raised three questions requiring solutions by scientific institutions and enterprises.
The round‑table discussion was co‑chaired by Professor Alishir Kurban from XIEG and YI Zhijun, Deputy Director of the ANSO Secretariat. The panelists included Professor Du Mingyuan (XIEG), Ms. G. Oyungerel (Department of Natural Resources Policy and Sustainable Use, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Mongolia), Dr. Shynar Tustubayeva (Astana International University, Kazakhstan), Chairman Liu Tao (Sinoway Forest Technology Co., Ltd. China), Associate Professor Akihiro Oba (Chuo University, Japan,), and Dr. Marcelin Sanou (Pan‑African Agency of the Great Green Wall, Mauritania). Targeting the three questions raised by the above provincial authority, the panelists proposed solutions drawing on their respective professional backgrounds and work experience. They also outlined their proposals aligned with the ANSO Initiative. The public responded positively to the panelists’ proposals and welcomed the idea to establish a cooperation and exchange mechanism. This side‑event further enhanced the public to understand ANSO’s mission.
