Mongolia, August 21, 2026 (SUNA) — The Sudanese delegation participating in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held talks with the Chinese-Arab Center for Research on Desertification, Drought, and Land Degradation on ways to strengthen cooperation in combating desertification and drought, restoring degraded land, technology transfer, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise. The Chinese side emphasized the importance of developing practical mechanisms for cooperation with Sudan that would help identify and implement priority projects and programs while benefiting from Chinese expertise and technologies in combating desertification and restoring degraded land. The Chinese side proposed an initial field visit to Sudan to familiarize itself with relevant national institutions and research centers, assess the current situation, and identify challenges and needs. The visit would help determine priority areas for cooperation. Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, Suleiman Al-Bouni, said the Sudanese side proposed preparing a Sudanese-Chinese memorandum of understanding outlining areas of cooperation and implementation mechanisms. He said the visit would conclude with the identification of priority projects in preparation for developing and submitting them to secure the necessary support and funding for implementation.  Al-Bouni added that the two sides agreed to continue consultations and coordination on practical steps to strengthen the Sudan-China partnership, supporting national efforts to combat desertification, rehabilitate degraded land, restore ecosystems, and achieve sustainable development.BH/BH