Eighth International Conference on Dry Lands Development

Sponsored by

FAO, ICARDA, UNESCO, UNU, NSFC (CHINA), ALRC (JAPAN), DRI (USA) & CAREERI(CHINA)

February 25-28, 2006 (Revised Date), Friendship Hotel, Beijing, People's Republic of China

The Eighth International Conference on Dry Lands Development, with the theme "Human and Nature - Working Together for Sustainable Development of Dry Lands," will be held on Feb. 25-28, 2006 at Friendship Hotel, Beijing, China, under the auspices of the International Dry Lands Development Commission (IDDC) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), sponsored by FAO, ICARDA, UNESCO, UNU, Arid Land Research Center (ALRC, Japan), Desert Research Institute (DRI, USA), National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute(CAREERI) and other international and national organizations.

Proposed Topics of Interest
The Conference will provide an opportunity to exchange research results and experiences in dry lands development and control of desertification/land degradation among colleagues and officials from around the world and to promote international cooperation. It will also identify challenges that may be faced by the research community in dealing with the problems of dry lands development.

Subjects to be addressed include the following with respect to arid and desert land development.

1 Soil and water conservation and degradation
2 Dust-storm process
3 Range management
4 Forage and livestock production
5 Biodiversity conservation and utilization
6 Ethno-botany
7 Application of biotechnology for the improvement of stress resistance in dry areas
8 Stress physiology: drought, heat, cold and salinity
9 Renewable energy
10 Indigenous/traditional knowledge and heritage
11 Sustainable development of oasis
12 Desert communities and socio-economic studies
13 Application of new technologies and technology transfer
14 Role of non-government organizations and private sector

There will also be a special session on the " Implementation of the U.N. Convention for Combating Desertification."

Registration
Registration fee is US $ 300 (150 for students). The registration fee covers local transportation in Beijing between the place of residence and the Conference hall and workshop publications including the proceedings and Conference bag, coffee/tea/snacks during the forenoon and afternoon breaks and lunch for 4 days (Feb. 25-28). The host country will provide a dinner reception on 27 February.

If you are considering attending the Conference, please complete the attached form and return it to the address indicated. This will ensure that you receive additional information and registration material, and will assist the planning.

International Scientific Committee

Chairman:
Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy, Chair of IDDC, and Director General, ICARDA

Members:
Dr Idris Rhea Traylor, Jr., Vice-Chairperson IDDC and Former Executive Director, International Affairs, Texas Tech University, USA
Prof. Dr. Iwao Kobori, Senior Programme Advisor, United Nations University, Japan
Prof. Dr. Wang Tao, Director General, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Lanzhou, China
Prof. Dr. Manual Anaya, Director, Centro de Edafologia, Mexico
Dr. Ali Ahoonmanesh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture and Head, AREO, Iran
Prof. Dr. Inanaga Shinobu, Director, Arid Land Research Centre (ALRC), Tottori University, Japan
Dr. Stephen G. Wells, President, Desert Research Institute(IRD), University and Community College System of Nevada, USA

Secretary-general:
Dr. R.G. Wyn Jones, Associate Director, Center for Arid Zone Studies, University College of North Wales, UK

Secretary:
Dr. Mohan Saxena, Assistant Director General, ICARDA

Local Scientific Committee
Honorary Chairs:
Prof. Liu Dongsheng, CAS Academician, IGCAS, CAS
Prof. Shi Yafeng, CAS Academician, CAREERI, CAS
Prof. Sun Honglie, CAS Academician, IGSNRR, CAS

Chairman:
Prof. Cheng Guodong, CAS Academician, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, (CAREERI), CAS

Members:
Prof. Li, Jijun, CAS Academician, Lanzhou University
Prof. Li, Wenhua, CAS Academician, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS
Prof. Lu Dadao, CAS Academician, Geography Society of China
Prof. Zhang, Xinshi, CAS Academician, Beijing Normal University
Prof. Zheng, Du, CAS Academician, China Society of Tibetan Plateau (CSTP)
Prof. Yao, Tandong, Director of Institute of Tibetan Plateau (ITP), CAS
Prof. Chen Fahu, Dean, Lanzhou University
Prof. Fang, Xiaomin, Institute of Tibetan Plateau(ITP), CAS
Prof. Feng Zhaodong, Lanzhou University
Prof. Li Xiubin, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS
Prof. Hua Ouyang, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS
Prof. Shi Peijun, Beijing Normal University
Prof. Wang Chao, Institute of Remote Sensing Applications (IRSA), CAS
Prof. Yang Xiaoping, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, (IGCAS) CAS

Local Organizing Committee
Honorary Chairman:
Prof. Dr Li Jiayang, CAS Academician, Vice-President, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Chairman:
Prof. Dr Wang Tao, Director, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute( CAREERI), CAS

Members:
Prof. Cui, Peng, Director of Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), CAS
Prof. Liu Jian, Deputy Director of Bureau of Science and Technology for Resources and Environment, CAS
Prof. Li, Shijie, Deputy Director of Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology (NIGLAS), CAS
Prof. Cheng, Shengkui, Deputy Director of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS
Prof. Song Changqing, Branch Chief, Department of Earth Sciences, NSFC
Prof. Zhao Xinquan, Director of Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology (NIPB), CAS
Prof. Ding Yongjian, Deputy Director of Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI), CAS
Prof. Xiao Honglang, Assistant Director of Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI), CAS

Secretary General:
Prof. Xiao Honglang, Assistant Director of Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (CAREERI), CAS

Vice Secretary General:
Dr. Xue Xian, CAREERI, CAS

Registration Form

Please print or type:

Full Name: ................................................................................................................................
(First name) (Middle name) (Surname)

Title: Dr / Prof / Mr / Ms

Nationality: ...............................................................................................................................

Address: ...................................................................................................................................

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Telephone (business): .............................................................................................................

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I would like to participate in the Conference.

I will present a paper/poster (please delete as appropriate) under the title:

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I would like / not like (please delete as appropriate) to participate in the post-conference excursion.

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Name/Signature and Date

Please return this letter of intent to:
Prof. Dr Wang Tao, Director General
Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS,
260 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
Fax: 86-931-8273894, 8275241, E-mail: [email protected], www.casnw.net

With copy to:
Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy
Director General ICARDA and Chair of the IDDC
ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Fax: 963 (21) 2213490, 2225105, E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected], www.icarda.org