Desertification is a global challenge directly affecting 250 million people and one third of the earth's land area, and threatening some one billion people who depend on land for livelihood (UNCCD, 2018). China and the Greater Central Asia (GCA) are among the areas severely affected by desertification, while China's progress and experience in fighting desertification would be relevant for the same course in the GCA. Realizing the importance of exchanging experience, APFNet started the training on combating desertification targeting the Greater Central Asia since 2015.

During 21-27 September 2018, the sixth APFNet training on combating desertification for GCA was held in Hohhot and Ordos, Inner Mongolia of China, bringing seven forestry officers from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The training focused on the development of sand-based industry, or dubbed as "desert green economy" in combating desertification, which is an effective approach to achieve the dual objectives of arresting desertification and improving local people's livelihoods. Apart from overview of the desertification control effort in China and Inner Mongolia in particular, participants learned about practical techniques of afforestation in dryland ecosystem, culture of seedlings, and carbon accounting. They also went for a five-day field visit to see related enterprises, rehabilitation sites, desert tourism and local villages, and talk to different groups of people to learn onsite about the benefits of desertification treatment to the improvement of local livelihoods. 

After visiting the Kubuqi desert, Mr. Kishovarz Hakimzoda from Panjakent Forestry Bureau of Sughd Region of Tajikistan said, "I am quite impressed about the desertification treated and controled in Kubuqi desert. Desertification is a global threat, and it is serious not only in China, but also in Central Asia. There should be more forest officers dedicated to combating desertification". 

The training was co-organized by Inner Mongolia Forestry Department and Inner Mongolia Academy of Forestry.