Xinhua establishes strategic partnership with UNCCD

Xinhua News Agency on Monday established a strategic partnership with the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The partnership is aimed at achieving a common goal in the areas of combating desertification, land degradation and drought, as well as achieving sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals, according to a memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides.

Xinhua will use its global presence and overseas branches to provide media support to the UNCCD secretariat's worldwide efforts and interventions. The UNCCD secretariat will use its global presence and offices to provide support to Xinhua's reporting and related activities, the memorandum said.

The two sides also agreed to have scheduled and non-scheduled high-level exchange visits and working level communications, to collaborate in publicizing strategic events and campaigns, production of promotional materials and conduct of media training, and to explore cooperation on other areas of mutual interests, the memorandum said.

Combating desertification is a major cause concerning the living environment and sustainable development for humans in a particular area. The memorandum promotes closer cooperation between Xinhua and UNCCD, as well as publicity of combating desertification, said President of the Xinhua News Agency Li Congjun.

Li held a meeting with Executive Secretary of the UNCCD Luc Gnacadja at the headquarters of Xinhua before they signed the memorandum.

Li said Xinhua would continue to strengthen cooperation with UN institutions including the UNCCD secretariat, and contribute to programs for the public good.

Gnacadja said the secretariat, through cooperation with Xinhua, hoped to strengthen the awareness of the public on combating desertification, and promote the public to learn more in this regard. He was looking forward to future cooperation with Xinhua.