ISRAEL HOSTS UN DESERTS AND DESERTIFICATION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 004927 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PGOV PREL UN IS SUBJECT: ISRAEL HOSTS UN DESERTS AND DESERTIFICATION CONFERENCE ¶1. Israel hosted a conference on "Deserts and Desertification -- Challenges and Opportunities" under the aegis of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The conference took place November 6-9 at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev. There were about 250 participants from over 30 countries. Conference speakers emphasized the importance of combating desertification and not deserts, best practices towards that end, and the opportunities that arid and semi-arid environments present for supporting human life and preserving the natural environment. ¶2. Ambassador Gregroire de Kalbermatten, Deputy Secretary General of the UNCCD, noted that Israel has a lot to share with the world related to survival in desert and semi-arid conditions. That comment was borne out by field trips that showed off Israeli research and achievements in drylands agriculture and habitat adaptation. Participants from Africa were eloquent in both formal presentations and informal conversations in highlighting how traditional lifestyles and practices provided opportunities for preserving grazing and other land uses. The challenges of over population of both humans and livestock in fragile environments were addressed by several speakers. ¶3. Comment: The Challenges and Opportunities Conference gave Israel a chance to show off its achievements in reclaiming desert lands, but also afforded opportunity for significant and substantial exchange among a wide range of experts and practitioners. Despite political differences, Israeli research does reach counterparts in Arab countries through scientific journals and other contact. More information on the conference can be found at desertopportunities.org/site/. End comment. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES