World Coastal Forum Side Event Successfully Held During the IUCN World Conservation Congress - Advancing Coastal Ecosystem Conservation: From Resolution to Action
On 10 October 2025, the World Coastal Forum (WCF) side event was successfully held at the China Pavilion during the 8th IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC). Under the theme “From Global Resolution to Collective Action,” the event brought together over 50 representatives from governments, research institutions, international organizations, and the private sector worldwide. Participants jointly explored collaborative pathways to advance coastal ecosystem conservation and sustainable development.
I. Recognizing Forum Achievements and Calling for Global Collaboration
In her opening remarks, Ms. Wu Jun, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, affirmed the progress achieved by the World Coastal Forum (WCF) since its inaugural conference in 2023. She noted that the WCF partnership has continued to expand, now encompassing 25 organizations across five continents, and has become an important international cooperation platform for advancing coastal ecosystem conservation and sustainable development.
Ms. Wu emphasized that China attaches great importance to coastal ecological protection and will continue to support WCF-related initiatives. She called on all partners to actively implement the WCF Coordination Group Work Plan 2025–2027 (hereinafter referred to as the Work Plan), promote the development of high-quality knowledge products and coordinated actions, and contribute to green and low-carbon development and the vision of harmony between people and nature.
Wu Jun, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China
Mr. Yan Hanping, Mayor of Yancheng, emphasized that the city has always placed great importance on coastal conservation and is actively implementing nature-based solutions to build a model for ecological protection in densely populated and economically developed regions.
He stated that Yancheng will earnestly implement the Yancheng Consensus and the global coastal-related resolutions adopted at this Congress, steadfastly pursue an ecology-first, green, and low-carbon development path, and promote the growth of zero-carbon industries. Mr. Yan also called on all parties to enhance coordination and cooperation through the World Coastal Forum, integrate coastal ecosystem conservation with climate action and people’s well-being, and jointly advance global ecological governance.
Yan Hanping, Mayor of Yancheng
Mr. Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), highly commended China’s achievements in coastal ecosystem conservation, particularly the effective protection of the Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He noted that the coastal-related resolutions adopted at the Congress have provided clear guidance for strengthening international cooperation and infused new momentum into the World Coastal Forum (WCF). Although coastal ecosystems cover only 7% of the ocean’s surface, they sustain the livelihoods of nearly one-quarter of the world’s population and play a vital role in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Mr. Maginnis stressed the urgent need to expand protected areas, enhance ecological connectivity, and mobilize greater resources for coastal ecosystem conservation. He emphasized that it is on the foundation of coastal ecosystem protection and restoration that the promise and potential of a regenerative blue economy will be realized.
Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
II. Scientific Foundation: Public Knowledge Products Driving Global Action
The first module of the World Coastal Ecosystems Conservation Toolkit—titled Guidelines for the Restoration, Creation, and Management of salt marshes and tidal flats —was officially released, now available in Chinese, English, Korean, and Arabic.
Professor William Sutherland, Co-Chair of the WCF Science and Evidence Task Team, Fellow of the Royal Society, and Professor at the University of Cambridge, noted that there has been a lack of systematic research on “which conservation measures work” in the ecological field. This guideline, he said, fills an important gap in evidence-based coastal management. The Toolkit will continue to expand to cover additional types of coastal ecosystems in the future.
Dr. Lu Wenhai, Co-Chair of the WCF Science and Evidence Task Team and Director of the Marine Ecology Department at the National Marine Data and Information Service, presented highlights from the State of the World's Coastal Ecosystems Report—the first version of its kind, released in September. He emphasized that coastal development and climate change are the primary drivers of ecosystem degradation. While around 10% of global coastal areas are currently under protection, the scale of protection and restoration remains far from sufficient, constrained by high costs and limited technical capacity.
The Report calls for enhanced ecological monitoring, accelerated restoration efforts, and a faster green and low-carbon transition in coastal regions. It urges all nations to transcend borders and work together to safeguard our blue planet and sustain the health and vitality of coastal ecosystems.
Lu Wenhai, Co-Chair of the WCF Science and Evidence Task Team and Director of the Marine Ecology Department at the National Marine Data and Information Service
III. IUCN Global Resolution: Empowering Global Coastal Conservation
Ms. Nicola Crockford, Facilitator of the WCF CG and Principal Policy Officer of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), together with Dr. Maud Lelièvre, Chair of the IUCN French Committee and Vice Chair of the Motion Working Group, jointly introduced the resolution titled “Facilitating Synergistic Delivery of Multilateral Commitments on Conserving Coastal Ecosystems,” which was adopted at the Congress with an overwhelming 99% approval rate.
The resolution underscores the need to strengthen international collaboration and to systematically advance coastal ecosystem assessment, capacity building, and the development of protected area networks. It also encourages the inclusion of coastal wetlands within World Heritage Sites and other international conservation frameworks.
Dr. Lelièvre highlighted that this resolution is among the most strongly supported motions in IUCN’s history. Its adoption marks a significant shift from fragmented to coordinated global coastal governance, providing a practical pathway and collaborative mechanism to align the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Nicola Crockford, Facilitator of the WCF CG and Principal Policy Officer of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Maud Lelièvre, President of the IUCN French Committee and Vice Chair of the Motion Working Group
IV. Case Sharing: Climate Action and Local Practices Underscore Urgency
Mr. Brendan Mackey, a leading climate change expert, emphasized that rising sea levels are causing coastal retreat and increased salinization, posing growing risks to coastal communities and ecosystems. While mangrove ecosystems possess a certain degree of natural adaptive capacity, coastal freshwater systems and coral reefs remain highly vulnerable. He stressed the urgent need to integrate ecosystem conservation and climate adaptation through climate-resilient coastal planning, ensuring that ecological integrity and human resilience advance hand in hand.
Brendan Mackey, Climate Change Expert
Ms. Yuan Quan, representing the Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Conservation and Management Center, illustrated the balance between conservation and development through local examples such as the legacy of conservationist Xu Xiujuan and the restoration of 720 mu of high-tide habitats. She explained how Yancheng has advanced an “eco-industrialization” approach that aligns ecological protection with economic growth. Notably, the city’s “Coastal Wetlands–Zero-Carbon Industrial Park” collaborative model has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Global Biodiversity Conservation Cases.
Yuan Quan, Representative of Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Conservation and Management Center
V. Energy and Ecology Synergy: Nature-Friendly Renewable Energy in Focus
Ms. Rachel Asante, Senior Programme Coordinator of the IUCN Climate Change and Energy Transition Team, emphasized that renewable energy projects must avoid negative impacts on biodiversity. She highlighted the role of platforms such as the Global Nature, Grid & Renewable Energy Initiative in promoting cumulative impact assessments and spatial planning tools.
For example, offshore wind projects have engaged biodiversity advisory teams to ensure ecosystem protection throughout the entire project lifecycle—from construction to operation. This approach provides a replicable “nature-energy balance” model for the industry. Ms. Asante expressed her anticipation of future collaboration with the WCF to jointly advance the synergies between ecological conservation and energy transition.
Rachel Asante, Senior Programme Coordinator of the IUCN Climate Change and Energy Transition Team
VI. Future Outlook: Discussing WCF Development Pathways and Priority Areas
The panel discussion focused on the theme “Future Outlook of the World Coastal Forum” and was chaired by Alex Hai Zhang, Facilitator of the WCF CG and Secretary-General of the Eco Foundation Global.
Participants agreed that the WCF should fully serve as a bridge between global policy and local practice, elevating international cooperation to a higher level. They highlighted the need to further elaborate priority projects and capacity-building initiatives through the Work Plan, enhancing implementation effectiveness and collaborative efficiency.
Speakers also called on nations to deepen policy alignment and action coordination under multilateral frameworks such as international conventions. Emphasis was placed on co-development and sharing of public knowledge products, promoting resource integration and innovative mechanisms to strengthen WCF’s role and support in the global sustainability agenda.
Panel Discussion
Participants (from right to left)
Alex Hai Zhang, Facilitator of the WCF CG and Secretary-General of the Eco Foundation Global
Spike Millington, Facilitator of the WCF International CG, former Vice-Chair and Senior Advisor of the International Crane Foundation
Jennifer George, Chief Executive of East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)
Lei Guangchun, Professor of Beijing Forestry University and Director of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Research Center
Christopher Dunn, President of the IUCN US Committee and Executive Director of the Cornell Botanic Gardens
Kevin Austin, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), UK
Rénald Boulnois, Senior Biodiversity Advisor, Biotope
Ibrahim Khader, Head of BirdLife Middle East Office in Amman, Jordan
