DE CAPUA -- DESERTIFICATION CHINA SUMMIT 9 - 8-17

China is hosting a summit for those who ratified the U-N treaty to combat desertification. Experts are discussing the drought situation in Africa, which they say has been made worse by conflict and poor land management. They’re also discussing protecting, restoring and managing the world’s drylands, which include savannahs. The health of drylands is linked to food security and climate change mitigation. Dr. Jonathan Davies is i coordinator of the global drylands initiative for the international union for the conservation of nature. From Ordos, China, he spoke to VOA’s Joe De Capua about the importance of drylands.