“11th International Conference on Development of Drylands” with the topic of “Sustainable development in dry lands in the face of global climate change” under the Auspices of the International Dry Lands Development Commission (IDDC) and hosted by Chinese Academy of Sciences will be hold in Beijing from 18 to 23 March, 2013. It is our great pleasure to invite you participate this conference and your presence will be appreciated. It has now been well established that the global climate change is occurring and is having a wide impact on the environment and the livelihood of the people across the world. Dry areas of the world have highly fragile ecosystem, which is highly vulnerable to climate changes. For sustainable development of the drylands and other dry areas in the face of global climate change, it is important to recognize the impacts of climate change and human activities on dryland ecosystem and understand the process and mechanism of dry lands ecosystem changes occurring because of these pressures. The Conference will provide an opportunity to exchange research results and experiences among colleagues from around the world on the impact of climate change and human activities on different dryland ecosystems and to promote international cooperation in developing strategies to meet the challenge of sustainable development of the drylands in the face of climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies using traditional knowledge as well as modern science and technology for different dryland ecologies will be identified.