The Fifth International Workshop on Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) attracted 74 local and 30 foreign experts and academicians from Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, Somalia, Qatar, Oman, Mauritania and Senegal, as well as representatives of UNCCD, the World Meteorology Organization and the UN Environment.

Dry lands that generate sand and dust storms constitute 41% of our world, and that these areas are fragile, sensitive ecosystems most susceptible to global climate change. Moreover, climate changeis expected to increase the frequency, extent and intensity of phenomena suchas long-lasting droughts, intense heat waves, heavy precipitations, and severe storms. Correlatively, a decrease in precipitation amounts, increase in forest fires, damages to the ecological chain, and an increase in erosion levels are expected. In addition, strong winds transport loose sand and dust particles on disaggregated soil to long distances, causing potentially immense negative impacts and consequences on human health, agricultural lands, infrastructure,and transportation systems.