Deforestation, land degradation, and unsustainable land management threaten our lives and are responsible, both directly and indirectly, for many economic, social and environmental issues. In particular, countries in Northeast Asia face the growing threats of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). In China, it is estimated that “more than 40 per cent of Chinese arable land is degraded” (China Daily 2014). “The annual cost of land degradation in Mongolia is estimated at 2.1 billion United States dollars (USD)” (UNCCD, 2018). Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) hit the region each year, causing significant damage to life and property.

With the impacts of DLDD and SDS often being transboundary, they are not only a national issue, but also a regional one, requiring transboundary cooperation. One country alone would not be able to tackle these issues adequately. Thus, regional cooperation is essential to address the shared challenge of DLDD and SDS.