Climate change is widely believed to intensify desertification globally. This process will have serious implications worldwide for biodiversity, socioeconomic stability and sustainable development. But drylands, in particular arid and semi-arid regions, home to some 2bn people, are considered to be most vulnerable. As they become degraded, the impact on people, livestock and environment can be devastating.
People living in arid and semi-arid regions are already struggling to make an adequate living. Poverty and malnutrition are endemic. And population growth is making things worse. The Central Asian region is facing similar challenges as large swathes of land are classified as arid and semi-arid. As water gets scarcer, risks are growing. Livelihoods of pastoral and other communities are at stake.
All this calls for prompt collaborative and integrated efforts by policymakers, scientists and international development organizations. New approaches and policies are urgently needed. With this purpose in mind, the 2nd International Conference on Arid Land Studies (ICAL 2) on 'Food Security and Innovations in Arid and Semi-arid Agro-ecosystems' convenes in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 9-13 September 2014.
The conference will serve as a comprehensive forum for exchange of novel knowledge and experience in combating desertification, including its scientific, political and socioeconomic dimensions.
ICAL 2 builds on the outcomes of the International Forum on Desert Technology X and the 1st International Conference on Arid Land Studies (ICAL 1), organized in May 2011 in Japan.
The conference will bring together a host of internationally recognized experts, senior scientists from international research organizations, policymakers and other stakeholders to share their knowledge and experience on agriculture and food security in arid and semi-arid regions; address a number of research and development opportunities for marginal water resources and lands to prevent salinization and promote sustainable management of natural resources; and offer best practices and technologies on soil improvement and optimization of crop production systems.
The conference is open to researchers and experts specializing in deserts and semi-desert regions. The event is organized with support from the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan, the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan, the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the CGIAR Program for Sustainable Development of Agriculture in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CGIAR-CAC).
Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Soil Partnership (EASP) http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/regional-partnerships/europe/en/ will be held in conjunction with the International Conference on Arid Land Studies (ICAL2). It will take place on 10 September 2014 at the Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan. The main topic will been discussion and adoption of the Action Plan of the Partnership. The Eurasian Center for Food Security, serving as the Secretariat of EASP, is responsible for the program of the Plenary Meeting, which will be circulated in due course.
All the participants of the EASP Plenary Meeting are expected to fill in their Registration Forms. If they would also like to make a presentation at the International Conference on Arid Lands Studies, they must submit an Abstract, and upon their wish a full text paper, according to the instructions given on /events/ical
Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been established by the Decree of the President dated January 7, 1990 - Implementation of single state policy in the field of higher and middle special education in the republic (http://www.gov.uz/en/authorities/ministries/1300).
Samarkand State University named after Alisher Navoi, under Ministry of Higher and Secondary special education was founded almost 85 years ago. The historical roots of the university goes to the Midevial times, when famous astronomer and Governor Mirzo Ulugbek established his well-kown Madrasia Oliya, which was a unique form of educational and research organisation in Central Asia. There were several programs in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy and theology as well. Today there are 16 different faculties in the university, where more than 10000 students are educated. Teaching, research and extension are main activities. Staff members and advanced MS and PhD students are involved in several joint projects funded by different regional, national and international organisations (TEMPUS, DAAD, SCOPES, CNRS). Several laboratories were set up to solve a wide spectrum of scientific problems. The digital library has access to the main international databases;
Samarkand Agricultural Institute was established in 1929. Currently, it is one of the biggest agrarian higher educational establishments in Central Asia. There are four faculties with students studying for 17 different professions within agricultural sector.
Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan - was established in 1996 by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On issues of organization of work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management“ No.419 dated November 1996. Regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources have been approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On approval the regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan” №160 dated March 30, 2001.
Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan - is a political party and environmental movement in Uzbekistan. It was founded on 2 August 2008, and registered as a political party with the Ministry of Justice the following 20 September. Fifteen of the 150 seats in the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan (the lower chamber of the Oliy Majlis) are reserved for the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan under the revised electoral law of 2008.
ICBA - The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) is a not-for-profit, international center of excellence for research and development in marginal environments. ICBA was established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank , the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Government of United Arab Emirates. The Center originally focused on the problems of salinity and using saline water for irrigated agriculture. Over the last 13 years, ICBA has evolved into a world-class modern research facility with a team of international scientists conducting applied research to improve the well-being of poor farmers in marginal environments - http://www.biosaline.org/.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS IS: June, 14, 2014
Submit abstract via e-mail to Dr. Kristina Toderich, Co-chairman, ICAL2: ktoderich@yahoo.com, ical2conf@gmail.com
Manuscripts
SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR MANUSCRIPTS IS: August, 15, 2014
Submit manuscript via e-mail to Dr. Kristina Toderich, Co-chairman, ICAL2: ktoderich@yahoo.com, ical2conf@gmail.com
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