During the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17th to 28th, Russian Forestry Agency head Ivan Sovetnikov shared his outlook with financial media. He expressed strong optimism regarding the summit's outcomes, underscoring that desertification represents a universal environmental threat requiring a unified global response. He also detailed Russia's recent strides in land rehabilitation, fire monitoring systems, and the evolving partnership between Moscow and Beijing.
Mr. Sovetnikov highlighted that desertification ranks among the most pressing ecological challenges of our era, noting that specific regions within Russia are increasingly susceptible to its effects. "Within the Russian Federation, areas such as the Republic of Kalmykia, the Republic of Dagestan, and the Volgograd Oblast are confronting an escalating risk of desertification. We are witnessing an expansion of arid zones and a rise in the frequency of damaging dust storms," he stated.
When asked how emerging technologies are aiding these efforts, the agency chief pointed out that while advanced robotics like humanoid machines are not yet practical, both unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence systems are already operational in Russia's forest fire prevention and detection strategies. "We are continuously refining these technologies and have observed tangible improvements in our protective measures," he explained.
Turning to international cooperation, Mr. Sovetnikov specifically praised China's active contributions in robotics and ecological management. He revealed that the two nations have already established robust collaboration in extinguishing cross-border blazes and restoring forested areas. "A few months ago, a Russian delegation visited Chengdu to engage in detailed discussions with our Chinese counterparts on the deployment of drones and AI within the forestry sector," he disclosed. The dialogue has yielded multiple agreements on technology exchange and joint research, promising a fertile ground for future collaboration.
Looking ahead, Mr. Sovetnikov stressed that the next three to five years should prioritize the sharing of technical expertise between the two countries. "Afforestation is the cornerstone of our battle against desertification. We are confident that through concerted efforts with China, we can effectively surmount this worldwide challenge," he concluded.
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