ULAANBAATAR, Aug. 24 -- TANZANIA has called for increased international investment, technology and financial resources to restore degraded land and combat desertification and drought, stressing the need to protect grazing areas, forests and water sources.

The call was made by the Minister of State in the Vice-Presidents Office (Union and Environment), Eng Hamad Masauni, as Tanzania participates in the 17th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), which was officially opened on Sunday by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa in Ulaanbaatar.

Speaking at the conference Minister Masauni said the conference, held under the theme “Restore Land, Restore Hope,” places emphasis o...