Goyang City Meets UNDP and ADB Representatives at Ramsar COP15
Mayor Lee Donghwan: "International Solidarity and Cooperation for Wetland Conservation"
ADB: "Goyang City's Efforts Felt Firsthand at Janghang Wetland"
Emphasizing Awareness Expansion in ZBC and Herald Interviews
While Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, was visiting Zimbabwe to participate in the 15th Ramsar Convention Conference of the Parties (COP15), on July 24 (local time), he met consecutively with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where he shared the ecological value of Janghang Wetland and Goyang City's citizen-participatory conservation policies, and proposed strengthening international cooperation.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) booth and emphasized the importance of international solidarity for wetland conservation. He is seen conversing with Ulau Unashe, Yi Ryu, and Marie-Lore Umpek Nie (from left). Courtesy of Goyang Special City
On this day, Mayor Lee visited the UNDP booth at the conference venue and, after listening to an explanation from Wulawunashe, the local officer, about biodiversity conservation activities in Zimbabwe, introduced Goyang City's ecological policies.
Mayor Lee stated, "Janghang Wetland is a rare urban Ramsar wetland globally, preserved through the voluntary participation of citizens," and added, "I hope that through ongoing cooperation with the UNDP, Goyang City's experience will become a model case for global conservation policies."
The UNDP, a subsidiary organization of the United Nations, carries out development-related projects such as environmental issues, energy, and income improvement to support the economic and social development of developing countries.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, being introduced to local specialties by Ulau Unashe from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Provided by Goyang Special City
Subsequently, in a meeting with Duncan Lang, Senior Environment Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ways to expand practical cooperation between Goyang City and the ADB were discussed.
Duncan Lang commented, "Last November, ADB representatives visited Janghang Wetland in person and witnessed Goyang City's ecological conservation efforts," and added, "Currently, the ADB, in partnership with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), plans to actively engage in biodiversity and wetland conservation activities."
In response, Mayor Lee said, "Goyang City has preserved the value of Janghang Wetland through citizen participation within a strategy that pursues both urban development and ecological conservation," and continued, "We will further strengthen cooperation with the ADB so that such exemplary cases can spread to the international community, especially to less developed countries."
Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, discussing mutual cooperation with Duncan Lang of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Photo by Goyang Special City
Established in 1966, the ADB is an international financial institution that supports the economic and social development of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on climate change, biodiversity protection, nature conservation, and the development of livable cities.
On the same day, Mayor Lee Donghwan introduced future management directions and ecological education strategies for Janghang Wetland through on-site interviews with Zimbabwe's state broadcaster ZBC and the Herald Zimbabwe newspaper.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is conducting an on-site interview with ZBC (Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation) and The Herald Zimbabwe newspaper on the 24th. Provided by Goyang Special City
Mayor Lee Donghwan stated, "Janghang Wetland is a world-class Ramsar wetland within the city, protected by citizens, and we will continue to actively support voluntary participation," and added, "We will enhance awareness of ecological value and conservation, focusing on the Janghang Wetland Ecological Center, which opened last year."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
