28 April 2025|News
The United Nations Environment Programme -International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), in collaboration with Kenyan government agencies, community-based organizations, and academic institutions, is spearheading a groundbreaking mission in Busia County in April 2025. The initiative focuses on bamboo agroforestry, riverbank restoration, and climate-resilient housing to address ecosystem degradation and support development of local communities.
Targeting at restoration of 25 hectares of riparian land along the Nzoia River, the team implemented integrated approach for ecosystem restoration, with bamboo agroforestry as the core concept. Three species of bamboos (Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, and Dendrocalamus giganteus), together with vetiver grass and Sesbania Sesbans were planted along 3km strip of the riverbanks in this long raining season to regulate floods, stabilize riverbanks and reduce soil erosion. Crops like maize, beans and vegetables were inter-cropped with the bamboos to provide food and incentives for community participation. This was conducted at the community recommended land, which was abandoned for the past 50 years due to frequent floods in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Community participated in bamboo plantation for riverbank restoration along the Nzoia River
This bamboo agroforestry initiative will not only build an ecological green belt along riverbanks with dense underground root system and above ground canopy, but also provide social economic value to the community, like food, fodder, pollinator, building and thatching material, medicinal herb and purified water. Such nature-based solution is being implemented and tested by the community as cost-effective approach for both short-term and long-term benefits in the flood zone.
Community participated in vetiver grass plantation for riverbank restoration along the Nzoia River
With capacity building as an integrated component of this initiative, two training sessions were organized during April 3rd-5th, focusing on sustainable bamboo cultivation and processing, bamboo agroforestry approach, bamboo propagation and sustainable bamboo plantation management. Around 100 community members were engaged and benefited from such technology transfer and trainings.
Training on bamboo propagation
This initiative also promotes sustainable use of bamboo resources for building climate resilient shelters, so as to boost the value chain development of bamboo industry. With a prototype of climate resilient bamboo house built at the Runguga Primary School last December, potential partners including Habitat for Humanity, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kenya Red Cross visited the demo and discussed its upscaling potential as a shelter for seasonal flood refugees in Kenya and beyond.
Stakeholders visited the bamboo house at the Runguga Primary School, Busia
This initiative is supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences through its Sino-Africa Joint Research Center based in Nairobi, under the project entitled "Ecosystem Restoration for Enhancing Livelihoods and Addressing Climate Change: China-Kenya Cooperation on Bamboo Technology Transfer". This field mission was participated by the Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Intergovernmental Authority on Development,CentreofExcellenceforClimateAdaptationandEnvironmentalProtection (IGADCAEP), Habitat for Humanity, Busia Government, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), WaterResourceUsersAssociation and the local community.
27 February 2025|News
On February 19, 2025, Prof. Linxiu Zhang (Director of UNEP-IEMP), Dr. Xiangbo Xu, and Dr. Li Li attended the 2024 Annual Progress Review Meeting of the NSFC-UNEP project "The Regulation of Soil Biodiversity on Human and Livestock Pathogens and Its Risks to Human Health in Urban Ecosystems". The meeting was successfully held at the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Xiamen.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Xin Lu (Chief of the Science and Technology Division of the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS). Wencong Li (Chief of the International Science and Technology Cooperation Department, NSFC) and Prof. Linxiu Zhang both delivered opening speeches. The expert review session was chaired by Prof. Keping Ma (Leader of the expert group, Institute of Botany, CAS). The meeting was also attended by experts from the Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS; South China Agricultural University; Institute of Soil Science, CAS; Huazhong Agricultural University; Nanjing Forestry University; Beijing Forestry University; and Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, CAS.
Prof. Sun Xin (Project leader, Institute of Urban Environment, CAS) reported on the project’s progress and research outcomes. The project integrates the strengths of the Institute of Urban Environment, CAS; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, and Peking University, and collaborates with research teams from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and other regions. By exploring urban soil biodiversity’s regulation of zoonotic pathogens and the associated human health risks, the project reveals the distribution patterns and driving mechanisms of urban soil biodiversity, making significant research progress. In addition, international cooperation and exchanges were further expanded this year, with 9 foreign experts hosted and 3 trips abroad, which greatly enhanced international collaborations.
The attending experts highly praised the project’s progress and provided guidance on international cooperation management, output formats, and progress contents. The research findings contribute to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring the well-being of urban residents, and promoting sustainable urban development. The project is funded by the international (regional) cooperation and exchange program jointly initiated by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which particularly focuses on supporting scientific and technological cooperation and research in developing countries in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
26 February 2025|News
From February 20 to 21, 2025, the inaugural International Symposium on "Urban Biodiversity and Sustainable Development" (Asia Region) was successfully held in Xiamen, China. The event was co-hosted by the Biodiversity Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and co-organized by the Institute of Urban Environment of CAS, the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), and the Urban Health and Wellbeing (UHWB) Programme of the International Science Council (ISC). Over 140 representatives from 31 universities, 14 research institutions, and 21 international organizations worldwide gathered to discuss future pathways for urban biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, emphasized that urban biodiversity has become a core issue in addressing climate change, enhancing residents' well-being, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted UNEP-IEMP’s efforts to assist local governments in integrating biodiversity conservation into urban development planning through support for implementing Target 12 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as well as piloting urban ecological restoration projects in Asia and Africa. Dr. Zhang called for advancing urban green transitions through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), stressing that "science-enabled multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to unlocking the potential of urban biodiversity."
Ms. Linxiu Zhang delivering a speech at the opening ceremony
Experts unanimously agreed that scientific evidence must be swiftly translated into policy tools, with interdisciplinary collaboration bridging knowledge gaps. Cities, they noted, are not only centres for sustainable development challenges but also testing grounds for innovative solutions. The symposium injected new momentum into urban biodiversity research in Asia and showcased "Chinese wisdom" and "UN-driven approaches" for ecological governance in the global urbanization process.
26 February 2025|News
On February 21, 2025, at the invitation of Professor Lv Yonglong, Director Zhang Linxiu, Dr Xu Xiangbo and Dr Li Li of UNEP-IEMP visited the College of the Environment & Ecology at Xiamen University and delivered an academic presentation titled "Strengthening Climate-Ecosystem-Livelihoods Synergies to Enhance the Resilience of Agri-Food Systems."
In her presentation, Director Zhang Linxiu provided a detailed introduction to the institutional positioning of UNEP-IEMP, its flagship program, and the international cooperation projects between the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and UNEP. She highlighted the center's latest research findings in three areas: First, the economic and environmental benefit analysis and regulatory strategies for dietary structure adjustments in rural China; second, the role of women's empowerment in Asia in enhancing crop and dietary diversity; and third, ecosystem-based approaches to improving livelihood resilience in developing countries. After the presentation, Director Zhang Linxiu and UNEP-IEMP team engaged in an in-depth discussion with the faculty and students present, further promoting exchanges and cooperation of UNEP-IEMP in the field of ecology and sustainable development.
24 December 2024|News
From December 12th to 17th, 2024, members of UNEP-IEMP participated in the launch meeting of the National Natural Science Foundation International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange (NSFC-UNEP) Project "Land-Sea Migration Patterns of Plastic Waste in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Strategies for Pollution Reduction and Carbon Emission Reduction" in Bangkok, Thailand. They also joined a five-day research activity.
On December 13th, the project launch meeting was successfully held in Bangkok, gathering experts and scholars from China and other countries to discuss the migration patterns of plastic waste in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, pollution control, and effective ways to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. It also further discussed future research directions and cooperation models. As part of the project team, UNEP-IEMP also further investigated the situation in the Thai society and enterprises through field research on plastic waste management. From December 14th to 16th, the team visited demonstration bases for plastic waste management in Thailand to gain a detailed understanding of the collection, processing, and recycling processes of plastic waste. In addition, the team engaged in in-depth discussions with the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on international cooperation and policy support for plastic waste management.
This research activity not only deepened the UNEP-IEMP members' understanding of the plastic waste issues in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin but also laid a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the project and international cooperation. UNEP-IEMP would actively draw on Thailand's advanced experience in plastic waste management, combine it with the situation in China, and promote substantial progress in plastic waste management in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin. As the project further progresses, UNEP-IEMP will continue to strengthen cooperation with the countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin to jointly address the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste and contribute to regional green development.
Team visited the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
In addition, UNEP-IEMP also met with research team of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency of Thailand. Both parties discussed and exchanged views on the development and sustainability assessment of the bamboo industry in Thailand and China, the potential opportunities of using bamboo as a substitute for plastic and future cooperation.
24 December 2024|News
From December 14 to 18, the 7th International EcoSummit 2024 was successfully held at the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center. This summit, themed " Eco-Civilization for a Sustainable and Desirable Future" brought together over 1,000 experts and scholars from 46 countries and regions around the world, with more than 100 plenary sessions and parallel forums. Attendees collectively explored key issues such as biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, basin ecological security, ecosystem services, and progressive ecological restorationetc. Numerous practical cases like basin ecological protection and high-quality development, recovery of river and lake ecological environments, sustainable agricultural cultivation, protection and utilization of forest ecosystems, and the integrated governance of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and desertswere discussed. As a co-organizer of the summit, UNEP-IEMP hosted thePlenary Panel on"Ecosystem-based approaches to address the triple planetary crisis" on December 18.
ThePlenary Panelspecifically discussed the complex relationships between social and ecologicalsystems andexplored how to increase the application of ecosystem-based approaches (EBA) in addressing thetriple planetary crisisand achieving the 2030 Agenda. It paid special attention to the nexus of climate change, ecosystem services, and sustainable livelihoods, as well as research, practices, and policies at local, national, regional, and international levels. Academician YongguanZhu, Director of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof.FengZhou, Dean of the School of Geography and Remote Sensing at Hohai University, Arief Rabik, Executive Director of the Bamboo Village Trust, and Dr.YangXia, Senior Editor at theSpringerNature, participated as experts in thePlenary Panel.The Plenary Panelwas chaired byProf.LinxiuZhang,Directorof UNEP-IEMP. The experts discussed the role of EBA in addressing thetriple planetary crisisand achieving the 2030 Agenda, as well as the opportunities and challenges that EBA will face in the future. Inthesummary, Director LinxiuZhangemphasized that in EBA practices, it is necessary to strengthen solution-oriented approaches, multi-data integration, multi-regional practices, multi-stakeholder involvement, and scienceforpolicy in order to better leverage the role of EBA in addressing thetriple planetary crisisand achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Group photo of the Plenary Panelists
24 December 2024|News
On December 17, 2024, North China University of Water Resources and Hydropower (NCWU) organized a seminar on the progress of the National Natural Science Foundation International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Project (NSFC-UNEP) "Impacts of climate change on the water-food-energy nexus in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin" at the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center. Prof. Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, attended the meeting as the International Co-Principal Investigator of the project. The meeting was chaired by Professor Liu Junguo, President of NCWU and the Principal Investigator of the project. Academician Li Bailian (Chairman of the World Ecological Summit Council EcoSummit), Academician Zhang Zhibin (School of Ecology and Environment of Hainan University), Dr. Xia Yan (senior academic editor of Nature), Professor Wu Wenliang (China Agricultural University), and Researcher Wang Yanhui (Chinese Academy of Forestry) attended the meeting as invited experts. Over 40 people, including the core project team members from various project components, attended the meeting.
Professor Liu Junguo introduced the project overview, followed by reports from the four project component leaders. Then, Director Zhang Linxiu introduced the work carried out by UNEP-IEMP in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin. The invited experts gave positive comments on the project in terms of project design, technical implementation, division of labor and organizational management. Moreover, the expert group made constructive suggestions, including considering the links between various topics - in particular the challenges of extreme ecology and environment, to serve the overall goal of the project.
Director Zhang Linxiu introduced the relevant work of UNEP-IEMP in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and made suggestions for the project
After the in-depth discussion of the expert group, Director Zhang Linxiu emphasized the need to strengthen project outreach, highlighting the advantages of bilateral projects in forming international influence, and to provide scientific evidence to support policy decision-making, and wished the success of the project. Professor Liu Junguo, on behalf of the project team, highly valued the opinions of the expert group, and would take them to improve the implementation plan, and ensure the efficiency and quality of project execution.
25 November 2024|News
The3rdGMS Agricultural Ministers' Meeting(AMM3) was organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Kunming, China, during 19-22 November 2024. With the theme "Transforming Agrifood Systems for a Resilient GMS", the AMM3 focused on strategies to achieve the goals to transform the agrifood systems to be more sustainable, resilience and inclusive. It also provided platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaborative efforts on several thematic and cross-cutting issues.
At the invitation of the ADB to lead a session at the AMM3, UNEP-IEMP hosted the session "Gender and Agrifood System Transformation". Ms TatiroseVijitpan, UNEP-IEMP Focal Point of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Portfolio, led the session preparation and organization. As inclusivity has been identified as a key contributing factor to the agrifood system transformation, the session aimed to showcase evidence on gender equality and women’s empowerment in agrifood systems in the GMS in addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity. The session featured a good combination of panelists, offering insights from various angles, i.e. the GMS Gender Strategy in agriculture sector, gender policy in Lao agriculture sector, financial mechanisms for women farmers in Vietnam, empowerment of ethnic minority women in Yunnan and Guangxi of China, and gender inclusive climate-friendly agribusiness. The session concluded with questions from the audience which would inspire replication and upscaling some of the successful initiatives shared during the session.
The group photo of the panelists
Apart from the gender session, UNEP-IEMP also participated in the AMM3’s "Development Partners' Dialogue" session, sharing the work of the UNEP-IEMP in the region on climate, ecosystems and livelihoods aspects related to agriculture, highlighting areas and opportunities to cooperate with other development partners and agencies in the region.
11 November 2024|News
During November 6-7, 2024,the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Workshop was organized in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province of China. Hosted by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the workshop aimed to serve as a critical platform to enable exchange of knowledge, to explore new partnerships, andto facilitatethe establishment of a foundation for future collaborative endeavors in conservation, research, and capacity buildingin Southeast Asia.
Ms TatiroseVijitpan, Focal Point of Greater Mekong Sub-region Portfolio, UNEP-IEMP, attended the workshop. She gave presentation titled "Integrated ecosystem management for sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation", which highlighted the roles of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem management, especially in engaging the local communities in biodiversity conservation. This is particularly important in addressing the whole-of-society approach of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
She also took the opportunity to discuss with the teams, led by XTBG, of the collaboration project between the National Nature Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and UNEP, titled "Maintenance mechanisms and scale effects of soil nutrient heterogeneity and biodiversity in tropical forests: based on the forest transect from Southwest China to Indo-China peninsula". The project is well-progressed, with firm collaboration from counterparts from Thailand.
Meeting with the team of NSFC-UNEP funded project
At the end of the workshop, discussions were facilitated to further exchange information and explore potential collaboration.
