EWA-BELT organized an event at the UNCCD - COP15

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 13 May 2022

The Desertification Research Center (NRD) of the University of Sassari participates in the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the UNCCD - United Nations Convention to combat Desertification that is taking place in Abdijan (Ivory Coast) from 9 to 20 of May. The COP15 theme, ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity', is a call to action to ensure that land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to be beneficial to present and future generations alike. ​COP15 brings together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders from around the world to drive progress in the future sustainable management of one of our most precious commodities: land. ​

During such as an important and prestigious Conference, NRD has organized a workshop with the title "How to develop the next generation of researchers on desertification and soil degradation?" held on May 13, 2022 in collaboration with DesertNet International (DNI).

During the workshop two PhD students from the University of Sassari, Dr Meron Lakew Tefera (PhD in Desertification and Soil Degradation) and Dr Chiara Cesaracciu (National Doctorate in Sustainable Development and Climate Change) presented two projects coordinated by the NRD: EWA-BELT (GA 862848) and SALAM-MED (PRIMA 2021 Programme). In particular, Dr Meron Lakew Tefera had the opportunity to present the EWA-BELT Project to civil society representatives, academical experts, PhD scholars and UN representatives who participated in the event. Dr Tefera’s speech was focused on how the EWA-BELT Project steers to improve capacity building in the Sub-Saharan African countries involved (Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone). She also explained how the Project aims at combating desertification and land degradation by strengthening national scientific capacities in East and West Sub-Saharan African countries, shaping the role of young scientists, encouraging South-South cooperation and establishing international network of top-level experts.