Al Ofoq Foundation for Youth Development participated in the international specialized training course titled “Combating Desertification in Arab States,” held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China, from June 23 to July 6, 2025, with the participation of official and institutional delegations from Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt.
Representing Al Ofoq Foundation in this course were Ibrahim Suleiman, Fahd Darwish, and Nizar Al-Eisa. This participation reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting environmental efforts and enhancing the national response to the challenges of desertification and climate change in Palestine and the Arab region.
Prior to the course's commencement, a series of preparatory meetings were held among members of the Palestinian delegation, discussing the reality of desertification in Palestine, identifying key challenges and national priorities, which contributed to activating Palestinian participation in discussions and training workshops.
During the course, the delegation members had the opportunity to learn about China's pioneering experience in combating desertification and to benefit from Chinese technical expertise and knowledge in this field, as well as to explore the rich Chinese culture and local environmental traditions.
The Palestinian delegation also met with His Excellency Dr. Shadi Abu Zarqa, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to China, engaging in an in-depth dialogue about the importance of international cooperation on environmental issues and the role of youth and community institutions in enhancing knowledge exchange and building effective partnerships with the Chinese side.
Upon returning to their homeland, the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Mohammad Taha, welcomed Dr. Mohammad Al-Farrajah, the Director of Al Ofoq Foundation for Youth Development, and the participating delegation members. The meeting reviewed the course outcomes, scientific and knowledge-sharing opportunities, and recommendations that could be utilized to strengthen environmental efforts in Palestine.
Al Ofoq Foundation aims to translate this experience into practical programs and environmental initiatives that contribute to mitigating the effects of desertification and raising community awareness of climate and environmental issues.
