South Korea proposes advanced tech initiatives to combat desertification at UNCCD COP17

At the 17th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, South Korean organizations and experts presented new strategies for combating desertification and sand and dust storms (SDS) in Northeast Asia.

The Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Project, marking 20 years of cooperation, announced its fourth phase of operations. This upcoming stage aims to utilize advanced technologies, including ICT, forest satellite data, and artificial intelligence (AI), to scientifically monitor land degradation, manage forest restoration, and respond to forest disasters.

Additionally, the Incheon Institute proposed the ‘Green Water-Green Carbon Initiative’ to address the root causes of sand and dust storms. Rather than focusing solely on early warning systems, this proactive approach seeks to restore soil moisture and vegetation in desertification source areas, such as Mongolia, to reduce dust generation while simultaneously enhancing carbon sequestration through soil organic carbon accumulation.