Boke Foundation, based in Shanghai's Putuo district, has been granted observer status under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, marking its first formal observer role in a UN convention mechanism.

The new status will allow it to take part in UNCCD meetings and civil society consultations, as well as share experiences from its education and youth programs with international partners.

The UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions, focuses on desertification, land degradation, and drought, as well as issues including land restoration, soil health, water resources, and community resilience.

Boke Foundation said the new status marks a shift from project-level international exchanges to more sustained participation in the UN convention mechanism. It will provide a platform to bring practical experience from communities and education programs in Shanghai and elsewhere in China into broader international discussions.

The foundation's first event under its new status is the UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, held in August.

The foundation said it will use the new platform to connect youth education with issues such as land restoration and climate resilience, strengthen international cooperation, and showcase the experience of Shanghai's social organizations.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center