At the invitation of the Azerbaijan Institute of Botany, Deputy Director ZHANG Daoyuan, Prof. Liu Huiliang, and Prof. Wang Xiyong from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences attended the "International Conference on Problems and Solutions of Lowland Plant Flora in Karabakh and East Zengezur" in Azerbaijan from September 17 to 18, 2024.

The conference was co-organized by the Azerbaijan Institute of Botany, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Science and Education, and the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance for Arid Lands (BCAA). It was a significant event in the field of biodiversity in arid regions dedicated to UNFCCC COP29, which will be soon held in November of this year.

On September 17, ZHANG Daoyuan and LIU Huiliang delivered presentations, titled "Status, Challenges, and Strategies of Biodiversity Conservation in Arid Lands" and "Protection of Wild Fruit Forests in the Tianshan Mountains," respectively. After the meeting, they visited the Baku Botanical Garden, where they discussed cooperation intentions regarding germplasm exchange, scientific research, and others, with Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva, the garden's director. On September 18, ZHANG Daoyuan and LIU Huiliang engaged in discussion with hosts from Azerbaijan National Television about the significance, prospects, and solutions for biodiversity conservation.

The visit further enhanced BCAA's international influence. It also provided essential data support for biodiversity research in the Greater Central Asia region. BCAA was launched by XIEG, with other 11 high-level scientific research institutions in arid regions during the CBD COP15 in Canada. It currently has 13 organization members.(from XIEG)