Conservationists forge new models for coordinated biodiversity protection

Natural resources officials, researchers and conservation practitioners gathered at the National Botanical Garden in Beijing recently, exploring new models for coordinated biodiversity protection across sectors.

Themed "Conserving biodiversity for harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature," the salon was guided by the department of international cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and co-hosted by the ministry's publicity and education center, the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the IUCN China Members Network.

"Safeguarding biodiversity and building a solid foundation for life on Earth are both an inherent mission for advancing ecological progress and a core task for participating in global ecological governance," said Wu Jun, deputy director-general of the department of international cooperation.

She noted that China's deepening cooperation with the IUCN has strengthened its role in global ecological governance, citing the election of Academician Ma Keping as chair of the top governing body of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, the promotion of global standards for nature-based solutions, and the release of case studies showcasing Chinese conservation practices to the international community.

Wang Xiaoquan, director of the Institute of Botany, highlighted the institute's contributions to botanical science, including its role in compiling the Flora of China, which has been recognized with three National Natural Science First Prizes, accounting for three of the eight first prizes awarded in life sciences since 1949.

He also pointed to the ecological grassland-livestock strategy developed by the institute to address grassland degradation caused by overgrazing, which has been incorporated into China's agricultural policy framework.

"Ecological protection is a long and arduous task," Wang said. "It requires all of us to work together to implement this major national strategy."

During the exchange session, representatives from foundations, technology companies and international organizations shared conservation practices including social mobilization for national park construction, green finance for realizing the value of ecological products, and technology-enabled ecological education.