Latest news with #15thMeeting
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
China remains committed to int'l wetland conservation: official
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China remains committed to the protection of international wetlands and to fostering global partnerships through technological exchange and joint conservation efforts, a senior Chinese official said Sunday. Xia Jun, director general of the International Cooperation Department at China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, made the remarks at a side event during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, currently underway in the resort city of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Speaking at the session focused on accelerating global action for mangrove and wetland conservation, Xia emphasized the ecological importance of wetlands and underscored the need for strong international cooperation to ensure their protection. "This profound understanding underpins China's unwavering commitment to its conservation," he stressed. To advance international efforts in mangrove conservation and sustainable use, China launched the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in the southern city of Shenzhen in November 2024. Xia described the IMC as a landmark initiative that reflects the spirit of global cooperation. China remains steadfast in its commitment to sharing knowledge, technological innovations, and training expertise, while embracing the opportunity to learn from global counterparts, he said. "Only through such concerted, collaborative action can we secure these indispensable ecosystems, ensuring they continue to provide vital services for both nature and humanity for generations to come," Xia added.
Canada News.Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
9 Chinese cities accredited as int'l wetland cities
Nine Chinese cities were accredited as international wetland cities on Thursday during the opening of the COP15 in Zimbabwe, raising China's total to 22, the highest globally. VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of nine Chinese cities were accredited as international wetland cities on Thursday during the opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) held in Zimbabwe's resort city of Victoria Falls, bringing the total number of such cities in China to 22, the highest in the world. The nine newly accredited cities are Chongming in Shanghai, Dali in Yunnan Province, Fuzhou in Fujian Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, Lhasa in the Xizang Autonomous Region, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, and Yueyang in Hunan Province. Johane Chenjekwa, mayor of Kasane in Botswana, commended China for promoting wetland conservation, noting that Africa can benefit from cooperation with China in wetland management. "We will see, as we interact, what we can learn from them. They are also willing to learn from how we do things here, so it's really a (great) experience to be mingling (together)," he said. Chenjekwa added that as the world faces the common challenge of wetland degradation, joint efforts with China can help tackle its impacts. In his opening remarks, Jay Aldous, deputy secretary-general of the Convention on Wetlands, noted that while urbanization brings tangible development progress, there is a need to ensure that it does not interfere with wetland preservation. "Unplanned or poorly managed urban expansion has emerged as a global concern, contributing to the degradation of wetlands, loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecological balance, rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening air and water pollution, and escalating the impacts of climate change," he said. In response to these challenges and recognizing the pivotal role of cities and urban wetlands, the Convention on Wetlands launched the Wetland City Accreditation scheme to encourage the protection of urban wetlands and their integration into sustainable urban planning, Aldous said. "By embracing the convention's principles of wise use, cities can harness the ecological, social, and economic benefits that wetlands provide, including climate adaptation and mitigation, flood regulation, cultural value, and improved human well-being," he said. Held under the theme of "Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future", the COP15, which will conclude on July 31, has brought together contracting parties to strengthen international commitments to wetland protection.
