On March 26, 2024, Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, attended the launch workshop of "Optimizing Carbon Sink Potential through Restoration of Degraded Highland Forests", funded by the National Natural Science  Foundation of China under its International Cooperation on Sustainable Development (SDIC) programme working with UNEP.

The project is led by Professor Yu Zhen from the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology and participated by collaborators from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and Haripur University in Pakistan for jointly carrying out research work in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan mountains. This project aims to build a multi-objective forest management decision-making system (c-CHES) by coupling climate, human activities, and ecosystem models. The c-CHES will be used to accurately assess the carbon sequestration potential of Hindu Kush-Himalayan highland mountain forests and optimize management strategies. It is expected to support the science,monitoring and good practice task forces under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The project is supported by Ms. Natalia Alekseeva, UNEP coordinator on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.