On January 31, 2024, Dr. Zhang Linxiu, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme - International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), along with Dr. Liao Xiaoyong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and their respective teams, visited the Soil Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Soil Center, Mr. Hong Yaxiong, Deputy Director Mr. Chen Hedong, Division Chief Mr. Shi Huading, and related laboratory researchers. The main focus of the meeting was to deepen research exchange and international cooperation in soil conservation.

Director Hong Yaxiong presented the latest progress in the protection of black soil in the Northeast region of China. He emphasized the importance of bringing the achievements of China's black soil protection research to the global stage and expressed the desire to share outstanding soil conservation techniques with the international community. 

The venue for the meeting

Director Zhang Linxiu commended the work of the Soil Center and emphasized the significance of farmland conservation in maintaining agricultural biodiversity and enhancing the resilience of food systems. She particularly noted the positive impact of these efforts in addressing climate change and preventing land degradation. During the meeting, Director Zhang proposed integrating various perspectives to promote the protection of black soil. She suggested combining the scientific outcomes of black soil conservation with its impact on socio-economic aspects to conduct a comprehensive assessment, thereby guiding conservation strategies and promoting synergistic development between environmental protection and socio-economic progress.

At the end of the meeting, both parties reached a preliminary agreement on international cooperation to promote soil conservation and improve its quality and efficiency.