Side event details

This will be the official launch of the World Coastal Forum (WCF) (www.worldcoastalforum.org). WCF has been developed by a consortium of international NGOs as a response to Convention on Wetlands Resolution XIII.20, Promoting the conservation & wise use of intertidal wetlands & ecologically-associated habitats (2018) and Resolutions/Decisions of CMS (2017), CBD (2018) & IUCN (2020). Preparations for this launch, underway for more than a year, have been enabled by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of the People’s Republic of China through the WCF Establishment Group (WCFEG) coordinated by Eco Foundation Global & BirdLife International, in line with the Initiative Document agreed at an international event hosted by MNR in January 2022. It will feature reports from the WCFEG on background & progress including:

a) launching Terms of Reference for the first initiatives of the WCF, including a regularly repeated State of the World’s Coastal Ecosystems report & Toolkit on coastal ecosystem protection, sustainable management & restoration
b) introducing the programme of work of the WCF & work plan of the WCF Secretariat
c) announcing the host city & dates in 2023 of the first meeting of the WCF.

Agenda

Opening Remarks by the moderator

• Dr. Zhang Zhanhai, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), China

Speeches by leaders

• Dr. Wang Hong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources; Administrator, State Oceanic Administration, China

• Dr. Liu Dongsheng, Deputy Director General of National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), China

• Dr. Bruno Oberle, Director General, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

• Ms. Patricia Zurita, CEO of BirdLife International

Introduction to background and development of the World Coastal Forum (WCF)

• Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, Chair of WCF Establishment Group, President of the IUCN (2012-2021)

Discussion on preparation of WCF 2023

• Ms. Chen Danhong, Director General, International Cooperation Department, MNR, China

• Mr. Vincent Szleper, Deputy Head, Coastal and Marine Division, Water and Biodiversity Directorate, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France

• Mr. Dong Ye, Assistant Director General, Department of Wetland Management, NFGA, China

• Mr. Michael Mitzikos, Mayor of South Pelion, Argalasti, Magnesia, Greece

• Mr. Jerker Tamelander, Director, Science and Policy, Ramsar Secretariat

• Mr. Doug Watkins, Chief Executive, EAAF Partnership Secretariat

• Mr Tim Badman, Head – Heritage, Culture and Youth, IUCN

• Ms Beccy Speight, Chief Executive, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

• Ms. Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

• Mr. Alex Zhang, Secretary General of Eco Foundation Global, Co-Coordinator of WCF Establishment Group

Announcement of the Host City of WCF 2023

• Ms. Xu Ying, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Yancheng Municipality, Jiangsu Province, China