Mayor Lee Donghwan Leads Global Ecological Diplomacy at COP15 with Janghang Wetland Conservation Case

Goyang City Presents Janghang Wetland Conservation Case at COP15
Mayor Lee Donghwan: "Proposing a Model for Urban-Nature Coexistence"
Shared Urban Wetland Challenges with Cape Town Deputy Mayor
Met with EAAFP and WWT to Discuss Migratory Bird Protection

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) has taken a step into global ecological diplomacy by presenting the conservation case of Janghang Wetland to the international community at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15), held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa.

Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is meeting with Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor of Cape Town, South Africa, at Ramsar COP15 on the 26th to discuss urban development and wetland conservation. Provided by Goyang Special City

On July 26 (local time), Mayor Lee Donghwan personally managed the Janghang Wetland promotional booth during the conference and held a series of meetings with representatives from various countries. In particular, there were vivid discussions with cities around the world that are seeking solutions between development and conservation.

Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa, who visited the booth that day, said, "Cape Town is a beautiful city with a World Heritage Site, but it faces significant pressure for urban development due to poverty and housing issues. It is very challenging to find solutions to both environmental conservation and social problems simultaneously."

In response, Mayor Lee Donghwan expressed his empathy by saying, "Janghang Wetland is also located adjacent to Seoul and the Han River estuary, making it an area exposed to large-scale development pressure." He continued, "Goyang City is mobilizing urban planning, education, citizen participation, infrastructure investment, and cooperation with the central government to find a balance." He emphasized, "Development and conservation are not mutually exclusive; rather, Goyang City is proving through its practices that harmonious coexistence is possible."

Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is discussing international cooperation for wetland conservation within migratory bird routes with Jennifer George, head of the EAAFP (East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership) Secretariat, at Ramsar COP15 on the 26th. Provided by Goyang Special City

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, with an area of approximately 2,445 km² and a population of 4.77 million as of 2022. Known for its pleasant climate and beautiful natural scenery, it is a major tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world and serves as an important economic hub where many African companies are headquartered.

Mayor Lee Donghwan also met with Jennifer George, Head of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat, to discuss cooperation for the protection of migratory birds and the expansion of international networks. Jennifer George suggested collaboration with Goyang City, emphasizing, "Cooperation with various networks is essential to secure biodiversity along migratory bird routes."

Mayor Lee stated, "Having a place within a city where migratory birds can rest means that the city embraces nature. Janghang Wetland is a key stopover on the international migratory bird flyway, and wetland conservation is no longer an issue for just one city or country. Building a migratory bird network in cooperation with the international community is the key to conservation."

Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, met with Tina Redshaw, head of WWT (World Wetlands Centre Network), at Ramsar COP15 on the 26th to discuss global cooperation between Janghang Wetland Ecology Center and the World Wetlands Centre. Provided by Goyang Special City

Additionally, Mayor Lee held a meeting with Tina Redshaw, Head of the World Wetland Centre Network (WWT). After Tina Redshaw shared the various activities and willingness for cooperation of the World Wetland Centre, Mayor Lee responded, "The Janghang Wetland Ecological Center is a hub for education and experience where citizens and ecology meet. Through cooperation with WWT, we will expand the center's global programs."

Meanwhile, at this conference, Goyang City jointly operated the East Asia Ramsar Center Goyang Janghang Wetland promotional booth, focusing on promoting Goyang-style ecological conservation strategies. The booth showcased innovative cases centered on Janghang Wetland, including ▲drone-assisted feeding activities for migratory birds, ▲ecosystem service payment projects, and ▲citizen-participatory environmental education programs.

Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is promoting Janghang Wetland at the 15th Ramsar COP15 on the 26th. Provided by Goyang Special City

During the conference, more than 2,000 people?including government delegations from Ramsar Convention member states, local government officials, international NGOs, and experts?visited the Janghang Wetland promotional booth. In particular, the drone-based migratory bird feeding case presented by Mayor Lee Donghwan the previous day attracted significant attention as a future model for urban wetlands.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.