New center to boost global ecological governance

The International Mangrove Center officially launched its secretariat in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Sunday after convening its first council meeting, marking a major step in strengthening global cooperation on mangrove protection, restoration and sustainable development.

The center, the world's first intergovernmental global organization dedicated to mangrove conservation and cooperation, was proposed by China at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in November 2022.

It now has eight member states and 13 signatory countries, covering major mangrove distribution areas across Asia, Africa and the Americas.

China has long prioritized mangrove conservation, rolling out the Wetland Protection Law with dedicated provisions on mangrove preservation to provide a solid legal foundation, Liu Guohong, administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said during the council meeting's opening ceremony.

China has placed mangroves under strict ecological protection red lines and incorporated them into a standardized nature reserve system, Liu said. The administration has also implemented dedicated five-year restoration plans, promoting coordinated land-sea management and measures such as converting aquaculture ponds back into mangrove forests to restore degraded coastal wetlands.

As a result, China's mangrove area has expanded to 31,700 hectares, an increase of 44 percent since the beginning of this century. China is now one of the few countries in the world to achieve continuous growth in mangrove coverage.

Liu called for the establishment of a global digital service platform for mangroves to facilitate the sharing of research data and practical experiences.

He also proposed advancing international demonstration projects on mangrove conservation and restoration to promote proven practices and governance experience worldwide.

According to the council meeting, during its four-year preparation period, the center compiled global reports on mangrove resources and the major challenges impeding conservation efforts.

It also carried out in-depth research on key topics, including blue carbon policies, market mechanisms and ecological governance.

The center has to date organized six international training workshops on mangrove conservation and restoration, attracting 137 participants from 30 countries and regions.

Representatives from member countries said the IMC, as a unique regional initiative under the Ramsar Convention, will serve as an important platform for enhancing policy dialogue, strengthening technical cooperation and sharing experience in mangrove conservation.

Julien Noel Rakotoarisoa, an official with Madagascar's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, said the IMC will bring together governments, researchers, the private sector and local communities to promote coordinated global action to protect these valuable ecosystems.

chenhong@chinadaily.com.cn