World Coastal Forum International Advisory Meeting Report

World Coastal Forum International Advisory Meeting Report 10 January 2022 Yancheng·China Coastal areas, connecting land and sea, have unique ecosystems and natural resources, and are active zones for economic and social development. With the increasing intensity of human development activities and the growing impacts of climate change, ecological protection in coastal areas has become a common challenge facing the world. All oceans are interconnected, and coastal ecosystems need to be protected through international cooperation more than any other type of ecosystem. Since 2017, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have adopted resolutions calling for the establishment of a global coastal forum involving multiple stakeholders to promote protection, management and sustainable development of coastal areas in the world. China is willing to actively respond to the relevant resolutions by taking the lead in enabling the establishment process of World Coastal Forum (WCF). This will establish a shared and jointly-built protection, cooperation and coordination mechanism that is global in scope. Background 1 Opening remarks H.E. Zhang Xinsheng, Former President of IUCN, Honorary President of Yellow Sea Research Institute President Zhang expressed a warm welcome, introduced the agenda and participants, and emphasized the significance of the meeting, including:  Coastal wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems in the world, and home to 50% of the world’s human population, accounting for over 60% of global GDP. Coastal areas are fragile and have rich biodiversity, but also high urbanization rates. Actions are needed to protect these unique areas, so as to mitigate climate change impacts and conserve biodiversity.  Since 2017, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have adopted relevant resolutions, calling for action.  Establishing the WCF not only responds to the conventions and IUCN, but also serves the welfare of mankind and the promotion of sustainable development.  The support of Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government is highly appreciated. Stakeholders gather here to voluntarily contribute wisdom and expertise, to reach the consensus on the establishment of WCF. Section 1: Thematic Report: Pathways to Coastal Area’s Conservation and Sustainable Development 1. Evidence-Based Guidance to Coastal Wetlands Conservation Prof. William James Sutherland, Miriam Rothschild Chair University of Cambridge, Former President of the British Ecological Society Prof Sutherland highlighted that coastal habitats are thin strips sandwiched between massive blocks of land and sea, which tend to be neglected in policy and practice. Yet protecting the coast and its resources are very important both ecologically and economically. To protect coastal areas effectively, Prof Sutherland suggested a five-stage process as outlined below, and called for a global collaboration involving all relevant stakeholders through the creation of a Global Evidence-Based Wetland Conservation and Restoration Centre:  Stage 1: Identify the challenges and opportunities facing coastal habitats in different areas.  Stage 2: Identify the range of possible solutions and then systematically search for the evidence of their effectiveness. 2  Stage 3: Provide evidence-based guidance, essential because practitioners cannot be expected to source and interpret all relevant original science.  Stage 4: Deliver effective actions on the scale necessary to curtail the loss and degradation of coastal ecosystems and to ensure sustainable development and resilience to climate change into the future.  Stage 5: Learn from practice by identifying gaps in knowledge and embedding experiments in practice, the results of which can be shared to improve future practice. He concluded that the WCF provides a visionary opportunity to deliver transformative change to secure the future of our coastal wetlands and associated ecosystems, and leads the way for conservation in other fields. 2. Nature Based Solutions (NbS) in China’s Coastal Systems Dr. Ming Luo, Director of Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation of MNR, PRC Dr. Luo introduced that NbS have been widely used in the restoration of coastal wetlands. China has a strong political will to build a maritime community with a shared future. For example, we must respect science and fulfill our responsibility to protect mangroves. The Master Plan for Major Projects to Protect and Restore China's Major Ecosystems (2021- 2035) has been approved by China’s central government, and ecological protection and restoration in coastal zones is one of its seven initiatives. The plan details that by 2035, natural shorelines should account for no less than 35 percent of the total (more than 35% of the continental shorelines should be brought under control of the “red line”). To achieve this goal, 400 km of degraded shorelines should be rehabilitated, 20,000 hectares of coastal wetlands and 110,000 hectares of coastal shelterbelts should be restored. In 2021-2022, 31 coastal conservation and restoration projects were adopted in China through the use of NbS to promote resilience, while achieving the co-benefits of biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. At the same time, a spatial planning system has been established, using a holistic approach to both land and sea. Spatial planning is to be carried out from the top of the mountain to the ocean. Through unified land and resource planning, we will formulate different NbS regional policies to guide the ecological protection and restoration of different areas. 3. Best Practices in Yellow (Bo) Sea Area of China Mr. Weidong Sun, Deputy Director of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Natural Resources, PRC Mr. Sun introduced the overall situation of Yellow (Bo) Sea Area in China. He highlighted the current challenges of this area are the reduction of coastal wetlands, water pollution, overuse and harvesting of seafood, and chemical intrusion. To address these challenges and advance coastal conservation, Tiaozini was listed in World Natural Heritage List in 2019. Also, reclamation activities have been forbidden in China since 2018 and 19,000 km2 of coastal zones have been listed as restricted development zones in Liaoning, Shandong and Jiangsu. Jiangsu has been promoting the cooperation at national 3 and regional levels, including the Strategic Action Plan for the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem which was initiated by China, South Korea, UNDP and GEF. In addition, he emphasized the importance of local legal systems, coastal wetlands management and protection systems and related mechanisms Section 2: International Call for Coastal Wetlands Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Development Dr. Lifeng Li, Director of Land and Water Division at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Dr. Li provided an overview of the current situation of global coastal areas and commented that the WCF is a positive approach, being an international platform to exchange knowledge and best practices, and to find solutions to achieve sustainable development. He also emphasized that FAO is a close partner of CBD, CMS and Ramsar, to co-protect wetland ecosystems. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Initiative has given us a great opportunity to protect coastal areas. FAO is willing to further enhance the collaboration with related conventions, to support the member countries to achieve better management of coastal areas. Dr. Maud Lelievre, President of the IUCN French Committee, International Councillor of IUCN Dr. Lelievre emphasised international cooperation for coastal ecological conservation and actions. She gave an example of the Mediterranean region, one of the regions with the richest biodiversity as well as highest number of declining species. The governments of eight countries and five international organizations have made joint promises on coastal habitat management and protection through an integrated approach. She expressed her hope for future cooperation on conservation leading to concrete actions. Prof. Guangchun Lei, Chairman of Science Committee of the Convention on Wetlands Prof. Lei started his speech by highlighting the challenges we are facing in coastal areas. He agreed that the establishment of the WCF has significant meaning in the current context, and made three suggestions on the establishment of the WCF:  1 - A truly global cooperation platform, actively participating in global governance, and integrating outcomes into global multilateral mechanisms.  2 - A platform for the integration of the latest scientific knowledge and conservation practices.  3 - An important global opportunity for community exchange and development, displaying ecological culture and marine culture, and promoting the sustainable development of the community. 4 Mr. Jerker Tamelander, Director of Science and Policy at the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands Mr. Tamelander introduced the Global Wetlands Outlook Special Edition 2021, published by the Convention on Wetlands. The report shows that high ongoing rates of wetland loss means loss of some of the most important assets in meeting biodiversity, climate and sustainable development challenges when they are needed the most, but that a confluence of international policy can drive positive change for wetlands and people. He drew attention to resolutions adopted by the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, including Resolution XIII.20 which recognizes the importance of promoting the conservation and wise use of intertidal wetlands and ecologically associated habitats. He noted that this and other resolutions are an expression of priorities and needs by the 172 contracting parties to the convention. Successfully addressing these priorities and needs requires ambition, mobilization, engagement of all stakeholders, and making effective use of available knowledge and tools as well as of existing frameworks for cooperation and decision making. He acknowledged the many actions taken by international organizations participating in the meeting. Prof. Tim Smith, Co-Chair of Future Earth Coasts Prof. Smith pointed out that according to IPCC reports, carbon emissions have increased 60% since 1990. CBD, CMS and Ramsar have played certain roles, but the current situation is severe and complicated, covering many areas, different countries and societal and environmental systems. He also emphasized the importance of WCF’s contribution to the management of global coastal areas, to find practical solutions. Section 3: Thematic Panels: Consensus on the Establishment of World Coastal Forum Topic 1: The Mission and Vision of World Coastal Forum Mr. Stanley Johnson, International Ambassador of Conservative Environment Network, UK Mr. Johnson sent his congratulations and support to China for the positive action taken to establish the WCF. He recommended that China could chair the establishment process. Government engagement is of vital importance, not only for individual countries, but also regional economic integration organizations such as the EU, and UN agencies such as UNEP and CBD. Ms. Danhong Chen, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC Ms. Chen expressed her appreciation for the efforts that international organizations at the meeting have made. The interventions today have given MNR strength and confidence to co-establish WCF as a novel, multi-stakeholder, international communication platform. The objectives and next step actions could follow the related content of the Initiative to Establish the World Coastal Forum. 5 Ms. Patricia Zurita, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International Ms. Zurita briefly introduced BirdLife and shared her perspectives on four aspects relevant to successful establishment of the WCF:  Leadership. The concept of eco civilization initiated by Chairman Xi Jinping is very important, and the core of it is to respect nature and the harmonious co-existence between humans and nature. The role that China, especially through MNR and local government, is playing is very important.  Cooperation. Cooperation is the key to success, also the DNA of BirdLife which is the largest international partnership for nature conservation. The Regional Flyway Initiative in cooperation with ADB is a good example of successful cooperation.  Evidence-based. Science is fundamental to the WCF. Through scientific knowledge and innovative conservation actions, we could turn the tide on coastal conservation. Birds reflect the changes of the earth, not only biodiversity loss and climate change, but also restoration.  Willingness. Establishment of the WCF is anticipated. BirdLife is willing to work with stakeholders, through flyways and related initiatives, and will try its best to mobilize governments, media? and other partners to support WCF. Mr. Doug Watkins, Chief Executive, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat Mr. Watkins pointed out the importance of connecting national, provincial and municipal governments. Only with the engagement of local governments will we ensure the voices of local communities can be heard. He sent his congratulations and gratitude to China for promoting the establishment of the WCF. Over 150 important sites have been included in the EAAFP Flyway Site Network, which have close relationships with local communities. WCF could be a platform for them to share experiences and lessons and find and implement effective solutions. Ms. Jane Madgwick, Chief Executive Officer of Wetlands International Ms. Madgwick pointed out that the 10th of January 2022 marks the important step of formally launching the process to establish the WCF. The 10th of January in 1946 saw the very first meeting of the United Nations, so it is a good day for landmark initiatives! Besides the havoc the COVID pandemic is bringing, the pandemic shows us something else: if there is a united will, change in behaviour can be radical at the global scale. Transformative change is possible. In contrast to the pandemic response, our response to this climate and biodiversity crisis has been slow and insufficient, fragmented and lacking a sense of real urgency. To address this we need joined-up transformative action now, that shows determination, ambition and united will, and that supports a healthy and thriving natural world as the basis for healthy communities and resilient economies. To bring wetlands into action agendas, we need global policy coherence around a set of clear and ambitious targets for conservation and restoration. This will facilitate significant 6 public and private sector investments. Right now, wetlands are largely invisible in global agendas. That’s why, in the lead up to COP15, Wetlands International is calling for inclusion of wetland targets in the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework, as the next critical step. China has already shown great leadership in bringing about positive change for wetlands especially for peatlands, and in creating and managing wetland parks, as well as in the Yellow Sea, including the World Heritage Process. In 2022, with both the CBD and the Ramsar CoPs taking place under its leadership, China will be in an excellent position to drive the process of inclusion of such wetland targets in these crucial global fora. In this way China can mark this point in history as a pivotal change-point for the conservation and restoration of wetlands and the wider environment worldwide. We need to do more than setting targets: Urgent action is needed, with ambition and determination! We recognise the need for bottom-up interventions for conservation and restoration at landscape scale through collaboration of stakeholders. This requires dialogue, synergy and collaboration between disciplines (ecology, economics, engineering), compilation and exchange of knowledge, capacity development, community action and mobilisation of blended finance. Prof. Richard Fuller, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland Prof. Fuller first expressed the importance of establishing the WCF. He then focused on the scientific mission of the WCF, and highlighted the positive contribution that it could make in monitoring the world’s coasts and associated biodiversity. Recent efforts to map the world’s coastal systems like tidal flats, mangroves and salt marsh have highlighted their historical declines. He proposed that the WCF could play a key role in providing regular monitoring of the extent of coastal ecosystems, and this could form a core part of a periodic state of the world’s coasts report. By understanding the extent of issues, we can work toward effective solutions by using science-based decision-making tools. Topic 2: How Can the World Coastal Forum Contribute to International Ecological Governance Mr. Xianlin Meng, Director of International Cooperation Department of National Forestry & Grassland Administration (NFGA), PRC Mr. Meng provided an overview of China’s ecological conservation status, especially land greening actions and the development of nature reserves. The national forest coverage rate of China has reached 23.04%, the forest habitat has exceeded 17.5 billion cubic meters, and the forest area and forest habitat have maintained double growth for 30 consecutive years. The comprehensive vegetation coverage of grassland has now reached 56.1%. The Wetlands Conservation Law was officially promulgated and implemented in early June this year. The system of protected natural areas with national parks as the main body has been established, covering about 18% of the land area. China is also actively promoting the plant protection system. At the end of last year, the State Council of China approved the establishment of national botanical gardens in Beijing and Guangzhou. 7 Mr. Meng indicated that the WCF is at the beginning. More relevant international organizations, including various ecological conventions, relevant countries, and voices and wisdom from all sides should come together to learn from each other, and promote the adoption of effective measures and actions. NFGA is willing to actively contribute to the platform and its mechanisms. Ms. Nicola Crockford, Principal Policy Officer, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Ms. Crockford expressed that this Forum has the potential to revolutionise delivery of biodiversity conservation and relevant Sustainable Development Goals for coastal wetlands, and as a model that could be adopted more widely. A key reason why biodiversity conservation has been failing is fragmentation of effort. Coastal wetlands are in an even worse situation than other ecosystems in this respect.  In her view, characteristics of the Forum that we should aim to institute during the establishment process include: To give practical support to governments to actually implement the multiple commitments they have made under the relevant global treaties, regional agreements and nationally.  While serving those treaties and international organizations that have called for its establishment, the forum should be independent from them, though its products could be approved by the treaties as appropriate, through due process.  Rather than placing an additional burden on government representatives and other stakeholders, it must have an institutional framework that rewards engagement by channeling practical tools to deliver demonstrably more efficient and effective coastal wetland conservation.  Engaging in the Forum should not mean spending lots of time negotiating text. Once the work plan is agreed, the focus should be on catalyzing on the groundaction including through policy.  The Forum will be about empowerment of people to scale up what works: providing an evidence base and ensuring filling of knowledge gaps, disseminating guidance, building capacity at all levels, and raising awareness.  The Forum should also help mobilize resources at scale, building on the ADB Regional Flyway Initiative example. Prof. Minhan Dai, Academician of China Scientific Academy, Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science of Xiamen University Prof. Dai provided an overall introduction to the UN Decade for the Oceans Program, and gave some suggestions for the establishment of WCF: enhancing coordination, building synergy especially with UN Decade of Ocean Sciences and Ecosystem Restoration, involving blue economy and finance and conducting case studies. Ms. Ingrid Coetzee, Director of Biodiversity, Nature & Health, Africa Secretariat & Global Cities Biodiversity Center, ICLEI Ms Coetzee highlighted the importance of local government in biodiversity conservation, especially in coastal areas where so many people live, where a great deal of infrastructure 8 has been established, yet where innovative solutions have also been created. WCF is a platform to have an impact on global policies and actions with multi-stakeholder participation. Dr. Rob P. Clay, Director of Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Executive Office and Manomet Dr. Clay introduced the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHRSN). Based on the 35 years of experience WHSRN and that of the various flyway initiatives, he indicated that:  Site-based conservation is key to flyway-scale conservation, based on the appropriate application of the best available information.  Traditional and local ecological knowledge and cultural practices are critical to the sustainability of conservation action.  Integration and collaboration at local, national and international scales is required to ensure conservation of the full ecological network of sites required by each species. For WHSRN, and the flyways initiatives in the Americas, he suggested that WCF could represent a mechanism:  To share, learn and collaborate.  To develop the science, management and governance tools that expand the scope and pace of site-based habitat conservation; and.  To serve as an international resource and convener for issues related to coastal conservation. The WCF represents a unique opportunity to bridge the divide between local and global, involving practitioners at both levels in the effect conservation and sustainable management of coastal habitats Mr. Duncan Lang, Senior Environment Specialist of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Mr. Lang considers the WCF to be a great opportunity to promote the delivery of ADB’s goals, with 41 of 49 ADB member countries being coastal countries. The challenges we are discussing at WCF are very important to them. WCF could help to improve current situation, and more importantly, improve coordination. Considering that developing countries sometimes have difficulty in achieving the delivery of conservation targets, WCF could bring real changes to improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs and/or operating costs, resulting in more practical solutions. He also briefly introduced the Regional Flyway Initiative. Topic 3: How to Build a Global Protection Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism for the World Coastal Forum Mr. Tim Badman, Director of IUCN’s World Heritage Programme Mr. Badman considered the question of how the WCF will be organized to be effective. He emphasized three points - efficiency, accountability and legitimacy: 9  It will be essential to design the WCF to be clearly tied to its mission, and to effectively deliver the changes that the Forum will propose and the activities it will take on. Do not allow the formation of governance to become an abstract matter but stay focused on designing the Forum so that is tied to what it is intended to deliver.  The WCF will need to be clear who it is working for, and the mandate it has, and ensure this is clear to everyone involved.  The WCF needs to be accepted by the organizations it exists to serve and ensure all of those organizations are invited to participate meaningfully and equitably in shaping ideas and delivering results. Creating the WCF is a big responsibility and challenge, and IUCN is pleased to support and advise as a strong partner, bringing IUCN’s experience to help ensure the Forum is the success that this meeting promises. Ms. Xiaohong Jiang, Division Director of International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC Ms. Jiang focused on the role of MNR in the establishment of the WCF. MNR will actively participate in the relevant work of the international Establishment Group, following the 2022 Roadmap, including inviting United Nations agencies and relevant international organizations and relevant state departments of coastal countries to participate in the establishment process of the forum. After the forum is officially established, MNR will continue to provide support. Dr James Robinson, Director of Conservation of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Dr. Robinson briefly introduced WWT and expressed WWT’s strong support of the concept of the WCF. Based on WWT’s experience as an international NGO that has been involved in many wetland conservation fora over many years, he gave some suggestions to foster the success of the WCF:  A clear strategy is needed based on the best evidence and a realistic work plan, with organizations or individuals committing to lead or support specific work areas.  The WCF must be inclusive and engage civil society. Bringing governments, academics and civil society together will be critical to the success of the Forum and making links between local, subnational, national and supranational communities and institutions will help policy to influence practice and, just as importantly, practice to influence policy.  Unnecessary bureaucracy should be avoided. We will need a governing document and an associated process for making decisions, reviewing progress and creating accountability but let us avoid overly complicated mechanisms and processes and allow members of the Forum to get on with action.  We will need to find formal ways of engaging and communicating with conventions, agreements and groups to ensure we add value and do not duplicate effort. 10 Mr. Spike Millington, Vice President of International Crane Foundation (Video) Mr. Millington emphasized several key principles in guiding the considerations of what the WCF may look like:  The establishment of WCF is not starting from zero. The related resolutions give us both a platform and a constituency to fashion a responsive WCF.  We should endeavor to make the structures as simple as possible. We should not try to replicate existing structures and mechanisms but learn from them and seek to provide the minimal institutional infrastructure to support partners and achieve the goals we have set out.  WCF is not just a place to seek and share information, but also to create, develop and strengthen partnerships, focusing on the value that can be added through the WCF, including developing early on some products and actions that can further the goals of sustainable coastal ecosystem conservation and management.  All partners, including government agencies, convention secretariats, international NGOs and private sector organizations should have clear roles and responsibilities, but we should minimize the creation of different “categories” of partner. Dr. Harald Marencic，Deputy Head of the Secretariat, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Dr Marencic provided an overview of Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of the Wadden Sea. Key aspects include political involvement, transparency, cooperation with stakeholders and a good organization, supported by a Common Wadden Sea Secretariat. No coastal area is an island but is dependent on the protection and management of related areas and additionally in sharing information and practices. This example highlights the need to create a comprehensive sustainable management system for coastal areas that includes its natural values and that is directed at the practical implementation at local scale. The first step is therefore to set up a system of information exchange and exchange on best practices, supported by a good platform for collaboration. Mr. Hai (Alex) Zhang, Secretary General of Eco Foundation Global Mr. Zhang expressed his gratitude to MNR and NFGA for supporting the establishment process of WCF, to Jiangsu Provincial Government and Yancheng Municipal Government for organizing the first Yellow (Bo) Sea Wetlands International Symposium each year since 2017 and to all the shapers for voluntarily working day and night. Section 4: Initiative to Establish the World Coastal Forum The First Batch of Members of the International Establishment Group Mr. Will McGoldrick, the regional managing director of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) AsiaPacific program delivered a video speech to send his congratulations to WCF and expressed TNC’s support for establishment of the WCF and willingness to join the Establishment Group. 11 The initiative to organize the WCF was approved by the list of organizations listed in Annex 4 and will form the first batch of WCF International Establishment Group members. Closing Remarks Mr. Bin Zhou, Acting Mayor of Yancheng Municipal People’s Government Mr. Zhou extended a warm welcome to all participants and expressed his gratitude to people who have always cared for and supported the Yellow Sea wetlands and global coastal ecological conservation. He expressed that under the guidance of the initiative, more and more stakeholders will be able to gather together at the forum to promote the establishment of WCF and to jointly create a community of life and a community of destiny in which human and nature coexist in harmony in coastal areas. Yancheng has been dedicated to coastal wetland conservation and restoration, promoting sustainable management and the all-round green transformation of the economy and society. Human beings are a community of life that exists together and the ocean is a community of life that is closely linked. Coastal ecological protection requires the active participation of every coastal city. He expressed his hope that the secretariat of WCF can finally settle in Yancheng. The Yancheng Government has made full preparations for this and is willing to work with global coastal cities to seek green development, build the foundation of open scientific governance and create a bright future in which human and nature live together in harmony H.E. Zhanhai Zhang, Chief Engineer of MNR, PRC Mr. Zhang sent his congratulations and gratitude to all participants on behalf of MNR. He regarded the meeting as a big success and felt that the professional knowledge and insights have been shared and the consensus of all parties had been further enhanced. He indicated that MNR would like to work together with international stakeholders to establish WCF as an international exchange and cooperation platform focusing on coastal wetlands, migratory birds, climate change, biodiversity and related issues, as well as sharing successful experiences and promoting common conservation actions. Facing the challenges of the ecological environment, human beings are a community with a shared future. It has never been so important and urgent to promote the development of ecological civilization and realize the harmonious coexistence of human and nature. Only by taking actions can the concept of green development be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. He believes that the WCF can be an effective platform that it will make positive and important contributions to promoting ecological protection and sustainable development in coastal areas around the world. 12 Wrap-up H.E. Zhang Xinsheng, Former President of IUCN, Honorary President of Yellow Sea Research Institute Mr. Zhang concluded that the meeting has shown that the WCF is an inclusive, highly effective platform with a vision and a mission. The common desire of everyone is to build an “institutional framework”. The WCF should be a real international initiative in which membership is fair, co-developed and shared, serving coastal area conservation, restoration and development. The roadmap is very clear and all the participants are working towards the target of officially establishing the WCF at Ramsar COP14 in Wuhan. 13 Annex 1: Agenda Moderator: H.E. Zhang Xinsheng, Former President of IUCN, Honorary President of Yellow Sea Research Institute Time Events 14:00-14:10 Agenda & Participants Introduction, Opening Remarks -H.E. Zhang Xinsheng, Former President of IUCN, Honorary President of Yellow Sea Research Institute 14:10-14:15 Online Group Photo 14:15-14:30 Thematic Report: Pathways to Coastal Area’s Conservation and Sustainable Development  Evidence Based Guidance to Coastal Wetlands Conservation Prof. William James Sutherland, Miriam Rothschild Chair University of Cambridge, Former President of the British Ecological Society  Nature Based Solutions in China Dr. Ming Luo, Deputy Director of Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation of Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), PRC  Best Practices in Yellow (Bo) Sea Area of China Mr. Weidong Sun, Deputy Director of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Natural Resources, PRC 14:30-14:45 Speech: International Call for Coastal Wetlands Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Development  Mr. Lifeng Li, Director of Land and Water Division at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  Dr, President of the IUCN French Committee, International Councilor of IUCN  Prof. Guangchun Lei, Chairman of Science Committee of the Convention of Wetlands  Mr. Jerker Tamelander, Director of Science and Policy at the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands  Prof. Tim Smith, Co-Chair of Future Earth Coasts 14:45-16:10 Thematic Panels: Consensus on the Establishment of World Coastal Forum 14 Topic1: The Mission and Vision of World Coastal Forum  Mr. Stanley Johnson, International Ambassador of Conservative Environment Network, UK  Ms. Danhong Chen, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC  Ms. Patricia Zurita, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International  Mr. Doug Watkins, Chief Executive, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat  Ms. Jane Madgwick, Chief Executive Officer of Wetlands International (Video)  Prof. Richard Fuller, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland Topic 2: How Can the World Coastal Forum Contribute to International Ecological Governance  Mr. Xianlin Meng, Director of International Cooperation Department of National Forestry & Grassland Administration, PRC  Ms. Nicola Crockford, Principal Policy Officer, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds  Prof. Minhan Dai, Academician of China Scientific Academy, Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science of Xiamen University  Ms. Ingrid Coetzee, Director of Biodiversity, Nature & Health, Africa Secretariat & Global Cities Biodiversity Center, ICLEI  Dr. Rob P. Clay, Director of Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Executive Office and Manomet  Mr. Duncan Lang, Senior Environment Specialist of Asian Development Bank Topic 3: How to Build a Global Protection Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism for the World Coastal Forum  Mr. Tim Badman, Director of IUCN’s World Heritage Programme  Ms. Xiaohong Jiang, Division Director of International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC  Dr James Robinson, Director of Conservation, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust  Mr. Spike Millington, Vice President, International Crane Foundation (Video) 15  Dr. Harald Marencic，Deputy Head of the Secretariat, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat  Mr. Hai (Alex) Zhang, Secretary General of Eco Foundation Global 16:10-16:15 Initiative to Establish the World Coastal Forum The First Batch of Member of International Establishment Group 16:15-16:25 Closing remarks -Mr. Bin Zhou, Acting Mayor of Yancheng Municipal People’s Government -H.E. Zhanhai Zhang, Chief Engineer of MNR, PRC 16:25-16:30 Wrap-up 16 Annex 2: Participants List Name Organization Position Government Departments Zhanhai Zhang Ministry of Natural Resources, PRC Chief Engineer Danhong Chen International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC Deputy Director Xiaohong Jiang International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC Division Director Xianlin Meng International Cooperation Department of National Forestry & Grassland Administration, PRC Director Bin Zhou Yancheng Municipal People’s Government Acting Mayor Wei Jiang Yancheng Municipal People’s Government Deputy Mayor Ming Luo Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation of MNR, PRC Director Weidong Sun Jiangsu Provincial Department of Natural Resources, PRC Deputy Director Guangqiu Liu Yancheng Municipal People’s Government Secretary General Qijiang Wu Yancheng Wetlands and Natural World Heritage Conservation & Management Center Director Ying Li International Cooperation Department of MNR, PRC Officer Global Intergovernmental Organizations Lifeng Li Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Director of Land and Water Division Guangchun Lei Science Committee of Convention on Wetlands Chairman of Science Committee Jerker Tamelander Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands Director of Science and Policy Maud Lelievre International Union for Conservation of Nature President of the IUCN French Committee International Councilor Tim Badman International Union for Conservation of Nature Director of World Heritage Programme Duncan Lang Asian Development Bank Senior Environment Specialist Ingrid Coetzee ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability Director of Biodiversity, Nature & Health Africa Secretariat & Global Cities Biodiversity Center 17 Shu Zhu ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability Regional Director & China Representative at East Asia Secretariat Regional Intergovernmental Organizations Doug Watkins East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat Chief Executive Rob P. Clay Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Executive Office Director Harald Marencic Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Deputy Head Jens Enemark Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Former Head International NGO Patricia Zurita BirdLife International Chief Executive Officer Vinayagan Dharmarajah BirdLife International Regional Director (Asia) Stanley Johnson Conservative Environment Network, UK International Ambassador Hai (Alex) Zhang Eco Foundation Global Secretary General Fan Hu Eco Foundation Global Assistant Program Director Cong Li Eco Foundation Global Project Manager Spike Millington International Crane Foundation Vice President Xinsheng Zhang International Union for Conservation of Nature Yellow Sea Research Institute Former President Honorary President Jessica Lee Mandai Nature Head of Avian Species Programmes & Partnerships Nicola Crockford Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Principal Policy Officer Will McGoldrick (Video) The Nature Conservancy Regional Managing Director of Asia-Pacific Jun Cheng The Nature Conservancy Officer Jane Madgwick (Video) Wetlands International Chief Executive Officer Ward Hagemeijer Wetlands International Senior Advisor 18 James Robinson Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Director of Conservation Bena Smith Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust International Wetland Management Adviser Tomos Avent Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Head of International Programmes Weidong Zhou World Business Council for Sustainable Development Director of China Office Experts Minhan Dai State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science of Xiamen University Academician of China Scientific Academy， Director William James Sutherland University of Cambridge Miriam Rothschild Chair Richard Fuller University of Queensland Professor at School of Biological Sciences Tim Smith Future Earth Coasts University of the Sunshine Coast Co-Chair Professor Xiuzhen Li East China Normal University Professor Micha Victoria Jackson University of Adelaide Research Fellow 27 Annex 4: First Batch of World Coastal Forum International Establishment Group Members Ministry of Natural Resources, PRC National Forestry & Grassland Administration, PRC Asian Development Bank BirdLife International Common Wadden Sea Secretariat East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat Eco Foundation Global Future Earth Coasts ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability International Crane Foundation International Union for Conservation of Nature Mandai Nature of Singapore Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation University of Cambridge University of Queensland The Nature Conservancy Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Wetlands International Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust