Ben Gurion University : 9th International Conference on Drylands, Deserts and Desertification (DDD 2025)

Despite international tensions and academic boycotts against Israel, participation in the DDD 2025 is strong, with over 1,000 participants and 160 speakers from 30 countries, including some of the world’s leading scientists and decision-makers in the fields of environment, agriculture, and climate. Among the keynote speakers are Prof. William Barnett (Stanford University), Prof. Linda Forst (University of Illinois), and Dr. Henry Ndindi (Malawi).

For five days, researchers, scientists, and policymakers will convene at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sde Boker | Sylvan Adams Campus for plenary sessions, workshops, and field tours exploring questions at the heart of humanity’s shared future:

• Will the deserts of the world become centers of food, energy, and water production?

• Can ecological systems damaged by desertification be restored?

• How can drylands drive global collaboration on climate and sustainability?

• What lessons can the world learn from Israel’s experience in turning the Negev into a living laboratory for innovation?

Alongside its scientific sessions, the conference will also examine the social, economic, and politicaldimensions of desertification, including land rehabilitation and sustainable use in Israel’s southern regions — and even environmental and agricultural restoration in post-war Gaza.

Field excursions throughout the Negev will showcase cutting-edge technologies and community models addressing water scarcity, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture under extreme conditions.

Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, said:
“DDD 2025 stands as a living testament to Israel’s ability to lead global research on the critical challenges facing humanity — even in difficult times. The fact that hundreds of scientists from around the world are choosing to come to the Negev to work together on solutions for desertification, climate change, and sustainability strengthens the university’s standing as an international center of excellence. The desert, once a symbol of barrenness, has become here in the Negev a living laboratory for innovation and hope.”

Prof. Shimon Rachmilevitch, Conference Chair, added:
“This year’s conference focuses not only on the global challenges of desertification but also on the opportunities it creates — for innovation, regional cooperation, and human hope. From the desert, we can write a new chapter in global sustainability.”

Prof. Noam Weisbrod, Dean of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, emphasized:
“Desertification is not just a problem of deserts — it is a challenge for us all. It affects food security, health, and climate worldwide. Here in the heart of the Negev, we are developing the solutions that can help change the future of our planet.”

Israel, a recognized world leader in desert research and dryland technologies, continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation and sustainable solutions. The DDD Conference has become one of the most influential gatherings in its field, convening researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and shape global responses to desertification.

The conference will be held in English from November 30 to December 4, 2025, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sde Boker | Sylvan Adams Campus.