Han Ximin

1824295095@qq.com

CHINA’S proposal for the establishment of an international mangrove center in Shenzhen was approved by the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention at its 62nd meeting in Geneva on Wednesday. It marked the official establishment of the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in Shenzhen.

During an interview with Shenzhen Daily after the proposal was approved, Sun Lili, co-founder and honorary chairperson of Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation (MCF), said China’s proposal is a major contribution over the past three decades since China became a member of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

“The International Mangrove Center will establish an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial mechanism, and be committed to international cooperation in the areas of knowledge-sharing, joint research, technical exchanges, and mangrove forests conservation, so as to contribute to global sustainable development,” Sun said.

Sun said Shenzhen has unique natural conditions and rich mangrove wetland resources, and has adopted various wetland resources protection strategies. In addition, Shenzhen also has abundant talent resources, which can provide support for building the center.

The center will also be a platform to promote the international exchange of mangrove conservation technology and commercialization of scientific achievements, according to Sun, who is also the deputy executive chief of the preparatory committee for the center’s construction.

China’s regional proposal is  a practice of the international cooperation mechanism to promote wetland protection under the Ramsar Convention, according to Lei Guangchun, a professor from Beijing Forestry University and head of the expert team of the preparatory committee for the construction of the IMC in Shenzhen.

“Unlike other regional proposals that may focus on a river, a migratory route for birds or a bay, China’s proposal  involves more than 100 countries with mangrove forests. So the proposal’s approval is of global significance to world wetland protection,” Lei said.

Zhang Qian, an official from Shenzhen’s  planning and natural resources bureau, said the establishment of IMC is highly significant for the city in enhancing wetland protection, developing international cooperation, and building a more globally influential economic center and a modern international metropolis.

“Shenzhen will further improve wetland protection mechanisms and build  Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Museum with high standard,” Zhang said.

Meanwhile, China’s first mangrove protection carbon sink auction will be held in Shenzhen on Sept. 26.

Shenzhen has been committed to protecting biodiversity as it places equal importance on ecological environment protection and socioeconomic development.  The Futian mangrove wetland was designated in 2022 as one of the Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Together with the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay wetlands in Hong Kong, the Futian mangrove wetland has become a significant stopover for tens of thousands of migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway every winter.

According to the city’s wetland protection draft plan for 2021-2035, it aims to build itself into an international wetland city by 2035, with 50% of its wetlands under protection.

IMC Timeline

● March-August 2022:  Shenzhen communicates with the Preparatory Office of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) and the State Forestry and Grassland Administration (SFGA) on the establishment of IMC in Shenzhen.

● Aug. 25, 2022: Shenzhen submits a formal application to SFGA.

● Sept. 30, 2022: SFGA expresses support for the establishment of IMC in Shenzhen.

● Nov. 5, 2022: President Xi Jinping announces to set up IMC in Shenzhen at the opening ceremony of COP14.

● Nov. 9, 2022: COP14 holds discussions on IMC. Representatives from 29 countries deliver speeches, which result in a submission for voting.

● Nov. 12, 2022: COP14 adopts a draft resolution on IMC, welcoming the proposal of China and other willing countries to jointly establish the center.

● May 15-18, 2023: The International Symposium on Mangrove Conservation Cooperation is held in Shenzhen.

● July 25-28, 2023: The International High-Level Forum on Mangrove Conservation is held in Shenzhen.

● Sept. 6, 2023: China’s proposal for the establishment of IMC in Shenzhen is approved by the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention at its 62nd meeting in Geneva.      (Han Ximin)

International Mangrove Center

IMC aims to establish an international cooperation mechanism for mangrove forests and blue carbon ecosystems that are open and inclusive, to promote international cooperation and joint actions for the protection, restoration and rational utilization of mangrove forests, and to help realize the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Its objectives include promoting the innovation and sharing of mangrove knowledge, strengthening exchanges and cooperative research on mangrove protection, restoration and rational utilization technologies, developing a mangrove nature education system and public services, improving the capacity building of mangrove protection and restoration, and exploring the establishment of a blue carbon accounting system.

(Han Ximin)