Group 1 - The core theme of this year's International Day for the Prevention of Dust Storms is "Preventing Dust Disasters, Jointly Protecting the Blue Sky," aimed at raising global awareness of the health and environmental challenges posed by dust storms [1] - China has made significant progress in combating desertification, having restored 365 million acres of desertified land over the past decade [5] - The "Three-North" project has preserved 48 million acres of afforestation, rehabilitated 128 million acres of degraded grasslands, and controlled 67 million acres of soil erosion, effectively protecting 45 million acres of farmland [3] Group 2 - The World Meteorological Organization reports that dust storms are increasingly causing health and economic losses, with global dust concentrations expected to remain high in severely affected areas [6] - Approximately 2 billion tons of dust enter the atmosphere annually, with over 80% originating from deserts in North Africa and the Middle East [6] - Climate change is exacerbating land degradation and desertification, leading to the emergence of new dust sources [6] Group 3 - International experts commend China's effective land management strategies in combating dust storms, highlighting the establishment of green belts at the edges of deserts as a successful example [7] - China's afforestation efforts have significantly improved the living environment and helped mitigate the risks associated with dust storms [7]

Core Viewpoint - The theme for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in 2025 is "Restore Land, Release Opportunities," highlighting the urgent need to address land degradation and its impact on human development [1] Group 1: Global Land Degradation - Approximately 40% of global land is degraded, affecting nearly half of the world's population and threatening climate stability, biodiversity, and human livelihoods [1] - Addressing land degradation is crucial for food security, water resource protection, and climate change mitigation [1] Group 2: China's Efforts in Combating Desertification - China has effectively managed 53% of its desertifiable land, resulting in a net reduction of 6.5 million acres of desertified land, achieving "zero growth" in land degradation and a dual reduction in desertification and sandification [2] - Major ecological projects such as the "Three-North Shelter Forest Program" and "Mountain and Water Project" have contributed to a forest coverage rate exceeding 25% and a forest stock volume surpassing 20 billion cubic meters [1] - China has developed over 100 desertification control technologies, with some being implemented in over 40 countries, establishing itself as a global leader in combating desertification [2]