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International Conference on: Soil & Water Resources Management for Combating Desertification in Drylands under Climate Change SWDCC’2026.
Organized by the Laboratory of Eremology and Combating Desertification (ELCD) of the Institut des Regions Arides (IRA)and scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 May 2026 in Djerba Island, Tunisia .
In tribute to the late Prof. Houcine Khatteli, former DG of IRA:
Houcine Khatteli ex-Director General of IRA (1996-2021)
Prof. Khatteli (1953–2021), born in Zarzis, was a leading Tunisian researcher in drylands management, land degradation, and combating desertification. He contributed extensively to national and international projects (WB, FAO, UNDP, EU, UNESCO, etc.), published widely, and trained generations of scholars. As Director General of IRA (1996–2021) and acting Director of the Technopark of the South, he transformed institutions into centers of excellence and strengthened global cooperation.
Main themes and areas of discussion during the conference are :
Exploring the impacts of climate variability and extremes on dryland systems, with a focus on adaptation strategies for ecosystems and human communities.
Addressing sustainable techniques for soil fertility restoration, erosion control, water harvesting, efficient irrigation, and land rehabilitation.
Addressing sustainable techniques for soil fertility restoration, erosion control, water harvesting, efficient irrigation, and land rehabilitation.
Focusing on geospatial technologies, remote sensing, modeling tools, and field-based monitoring methods to assess land degradation and water scarcity.
Emphasizing integrated approaches that consider the interconnections between water availability, energy demands, food production, and ecosystem services in drylands.
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The SWDCC'2026 is organized in partnership with:
