The Chinese government on Dec 27 released the member lists for the organizing committee and executive committee of the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 2017.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang was appointed as the leader of the organizing committee, and Bu Xiaolin, president of the Inner Mongolian autonomous regional government, and Zhang Jianlong, head of the State Forestry Administration, will lead the executive committee, according to the circular issued by the General Office of the State Council.

The other members are all officials or related experts from the State Council, ministries of foreign affairs, public security, national security, finance, commerce, transportation, State Forestry Administration, Civil Aviation Authority and Inner Mongolian autonomous regional government.

According to the circular, the organizing committee is responsible for mobilizing related parties to prepare for the conference, and making decisions about conference preparations and during the conference, and inviting participants, including national governments and international organizations.

The executive committee is expected to implement and carry out the resolutions and decisions of the organizing committee and make regular reports to the organizing committee.

The 13th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 13) will be held in Ordos city of Inner Mongolian autonomous region from Sept 4 to 15, 2017.