The College of Agriculture at the University of Basra participated in the closing ceremony of the advanced training course entitled "Combating Desertification Techniques for Arab Countries," held in Yinchuan, People's Republic of China. The course was funded and organized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and implemented by the Forestry and Rangeland Environment Office of the Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, with broad participation from delegations and experts from various Arab countries.

During the ceremony, Professor Dr. Sarmad Ghazi Mohammed Al-Shawi, Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Basra, delivered an official address on behalf of the Iraqi delegation and the participating Arab countries. In his address, he expressed his deep gratitude to the Chinese government and the organizing bodies, praising the high scientific and logistical standards of the training program. He highlighted the lectures, workshops, and field visits that provided firsthand insight into China's pioneering experience in managing natural resources and restoring degraded ecosystems.

During his speech, the Dean of the College highlighted several key themes, most notably: strengthening international cooperation and emphasizing the need for concerted regional efforts to leverage modern Chinese technologies in combating desertification, addressing drought, and mitigating the effects of climate change; exchanging expertise and capabilities; and acknowledging the program's pivotal role in building scientific and humanistic networks between Arab researchers and Chinese institutions, thereby enhancing food security and sustainable development. He also expressed his aspiration for the continuation of this fruitful cooperation through the establishment of future specialized programs that contribute to knowledge transfer and national capacity building in the agricultural and environmental fields.

The ceremony concluded with an exchange of commemorative shields and gifts, followed by group photos of the participants and organizing committees, amidst widespread praise for the scientific and practical outcomes achieved during the course.

Media and Government Communication Division / College of Agriculture