12 April 2024, Manila, Philippines
The Asia and Pacific Food Security Forum 2024 held in Manila from April 9 to 12 is pivotal platform for addressing the challenges of food security and climate resilience. A key highlight of this year’s forum was the session “Co-development of Renewable Energy and Carbon Farming for Nature-Food-Climate Solutions” on 12 April, where Ms. Julie Nie, Chairperson of the Elion Foundation and General Secretary of the Treelion Foundation, delivered a compelling presentation on the Kubuqi Model.
Within this session, Julie explored the remarkable transformation of the Kubuqi Desert, once a barren landscape and now a flourishing oasis, demonstrating an exemplary model of environmental sustainability and economic development. Through a combination of renewable energy projects, sustainable farming practices, and eco-tourism, this initiative has turned one-third of China’s seventh largest desert into a thriving habitat, while also boosting the local economy.
“The Kubuqi Model illustrates a successful synergy between ecological restoration and economic viability,” Julie explained. “This model has not only restored biodiversity in what was once a desolate area but has also created sustainable livelihoods, proving that environmental conservation can go hand-in-hand with community development.”
The session served as a critical platform to discuss the broader implications of such sustainable practices in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets across Asia and the Pacific. It brought together policymakers, government officials, and experts in climate change and food systems, who are now considering how the lessons from Kubuqi can be adapted and applied to similar landscapes facing degradation.
As Julie shared insights from the Kubuqi experience, the forum underscored the importance of integrating renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to build resilient food systems. Julie’s presentation not only highlighted the impact of these initiatives but also inspired dialogue on replicating such models throughout the region. As the forum concluded, the story of Kubuqi resonated as a beacon of innovation and hope, encouraging new partnerships and projects aimed at ecological restoration and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.
For more information please visit: Food Security Forum 2024 (adb.org)
