The Desert Studies Center at Anbar University organized a scientific symposium to mark World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

The symposium, held in cooperation with the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, the Association of Desertification Research Centers in the Arab World, and the Scientific Research Authority, aimed to review the latest technologies and innovations in combating desertification and drought, highlight the role of artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies in monitoring land degradation, and present scientific solutions to support decision-makers and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The symposium included scientific lectures addressing the four-way nexus approach to enhance the resilience of ecosystems, sustainable adaptive measures for managing water and land threatened by desertification, and the use of artificial intelligence and the Google Earth Engine platform in monitoring desertification in Anbar Governorate.

The symposium emphasized the importance of employing modern technologies and scientific research to confront the challenges of desertification and drought and to strengthen scientific cooperation among research institutions, thereby contributing to the protection of desert environments and the achievement of sustainable development. 

For his part, University President Dr. Mushtaq Talib Al-Neda indicated that the university is proceeding with completing the requirements for transforming the Desert Studies Center into the Higher Institute of Desert Sciences, reflecting the development of the academic institution and the expansion of its scientific and research role.

It is worth mentioning that the symposium was attended by several researchers, faculty members, and experts.

Media and Government Communication Directorate

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

July 22, 2026