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The closing ceremony of Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management held via video link
On the afternoon of August 27th, the Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management, co-hosted by 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and World Association of Major Metropolises, successfully concluded. More than 60 participants from countries such as Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Kenya and Sri Lanka attended the event via video link. They include experts in the marine field and representatives of members from the Committee, Metropolis, the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), as well as friendship cities of Fuzhou.
In the 3-day workshop, six experts from United Nations Environment Programme, Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Xiamen University, Kiribati Local Government Association (KiLGA), Minjiang University and Surabaya City Government, Indonesia, made six lectures respectively on “Addressing Marine Litter in the Northwest Pacific Region”, “Integrated Terrestrial and Marine Waste Management Powered by Cloud Technology”, “Xiamen’s Experience on Marine Litter Management: From a Perspective of Integrated Coastal Management”, “Dealing with Land Littering and Pollution on Betio City to Produce a Green Land Environment for a Cleaner Blue Marine Environment”, “Marine Plastic Pollution and Governance Practices in China” and “Waste Management in the Waters of the City of Surabaya”. All the lectures were warmly welcomed.
Lively exchanges of views by participants at the panel discussion
During panel discussion, representitives from County Government of Mombasa, Kenya, Municipal Council - Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka, District Council Association, Gwadar, Pakistan, Huvadhoo Aid of Maldives, Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia, and City Government of Vigan, the Philippines, carried out heated discussions with the knowledge that they had learned in the workshop and their cities or organizations’ experience and practices on marine litter management. Baboo Gulab, Chairman of District Council Association, Gwadar, Pakistan, believes that the lectures have been highly inspirational for Gwadar in its marine litter management, and hopes that the public can increase their awareness regarding marine litter and start the treatment individually. Areesh Abdulla, Director Administration and Finance, Huvadhoo Aid, said that marine litter is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the Maldives, and that many islands lack proper waste management facilities due to the limited space and funding availability. It is his hope that all parties can work together to address the marine litter issue. The six lecturers also attended the panel discussion, and answered participants’ questions, such as how to raise the public awareness on marine litter.
Speeches by participant representatives at Closing Ceremony
At the Closing Ceremony, officials from Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) and Division of Environment, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Malaysia spoke as participant representatives. They expressed that this workshop covered a wide range of topics and participants learned rich experiences in fields such as the key measures for marine litter management and the development of the top-level infrastructure, such as policies, legislation, regulatory methods and so on. They showed their gratitude to the Committee for the organization of the workshop, and expressed their hope that all the parties will continue to work closely for the joint promotion of marine litter management in the future.
Representitves of Fuzhou attend the Closing Ceremony
Mr. Du Weiguang, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, made a brief summary on behalf of the secretariat of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee. He noted that the workshop gave all participants a deeper understanding of the hazards of marine debris and the governance practice of participants’ regions. Because of the workshop, the idea of marine ecological protection also became more deeply rooted in people’s hearts. “Although this workshop is about to end, the shared cases and experience will serve as a foundation for our future cooperation in related fields”, added Mr. Du. He also expressed his hope that all participanting parties will rely on the platform of the Committee to promote collaboration and win-win results in contribution to a beautiful marine ecology embodying harmony between man and nature.
Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management of 21st-Century Maritime
Cooperation Committee was held online.
For further participation in global marine governance and promotion of marine collaboration among members of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, the 3-day Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management, co-hosted by 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and World Association of Major Metropolises, commenced on the afternoon of August 25th via video link. This workshop attracted more than 60 participants and experts from 30 cities and organizations of 15 countries, such as Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka and so on. Around the theme of marine litter pollution and its treatment for creation of clean blue oceans, the event will include six lectures and one panel discussion, providing a platform of in-depth exchanges for participating members.
Mr. Octavi de la Varga, Sacretary General of World Association of Major Metropolises,
addressed the audience.
Mr. Octavi de la Varga, Sacretary General of World Association of Major Metropolises, said, “Floating garbage is a problem for the economy and the environment, especially for the survival of the humanity. It’s important, when we are tackling the issue of floating garbage, to have holistic approaches. This workshop today will help us start discussion in finding solutions, in connecting the dots, and in having this holistic approach that I’m calling for.”
Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, President of UCLG ASPAC, addressed the audience.
“To address this problem will require global, regional and national platforms of action including implementation of projects and activities, so we all have to make strong move out in order to minimize or troubleshoot this problem”, said Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, President of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, Nepal.
Mr. Sun Zhimei, Deputy Sacretary General of Ningde Municipal People’s Government and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Ningde Municipal People’s Government, delivered a speech.
Mr. Sun Zhimei, Deputy Sacretary General of Ningde Municipal People’s Government and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Ningde Municipal People’s Government, noted, “I hope that through this workshop we can enhance exchanges and cooperation in marine litter management, learning from one another and jointly protecting marine ecology.”
Prof. Chen Jianming, President of Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, delivered a speech.
Prof. Chen Jianming, President of Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, added, “Marine litter management is a worldwide problem. Enormous amounts of marine litter have posed a serious threat to marine environment, biodiversity, and navigation. I hope our cooperation can contribute better measures to marine litter management.”
Prof. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of Coastal and Ocean Management Institute(COMI),
Xiamen University, gave a speech.
Prof. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of Coastal and Ocean Management Institute(COMI), Xiamen University, pointed out, “This workshop provides an opportunity of exchanging insights, exploring countermeasures of marine litter, and building consensus among participating members. I believe this workshop will contribute not only to addressing the global issue of marine litter management, but to establishing a platform of effective global ocean governance as well.”
Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, gave an address.
In her address, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, commended 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee on its excellent work and its consistency in implementing the capacity building on marine litter management. In expression of her expectations, the Secretary General said, “I’m confident that the Committee can take an active role in exploring further opportunities within the scope of sustainable coastal urbanization, blue and green economy, and marine litter management. I expect this online workshop will find concrete solutions on the marine ecological conservation and disaster risks reduction, forming the solid collaboration of the key actors based on the Penta-helix cooperation principles.”
Mr. Wu Xiaojie, Executive Deputy Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, delivered the address.
Mr. Wu Xiaojie, Executive Deputy Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, said, “We hope that this workshop can further build consensus, and increase all the society’s sense of duty for constantly protecting marine ecology and treating marine pollution. We must promote the marine protection actions among committee members, improve the capacity to treat marine litter, and strengthen joint prevention and control of marine litter pollution, so that we can safeguard our beautiful coastlines and oceans.”
From August 31 to September 1, the workshop on Marine Ecological Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction, co-hosted by 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis), was carried out via videolink.
In the workshop, scholars from Minjiang University and specialists from Fuzhou Municipal Ocean and Fishery Administration delivered 5 lectures, concerning marine disaster prevention and reduction, marine industry development, current status of native oyster reefs and related ecological restoration approaches, marine aquaculture and sustainable development, and conservation and sustainable utilization of marine biodiversity, respectively. Speakers elaborated on targeted themes and shared with participants their experiences and practices in promoting maritime industry and preventing marine disasters.
"In recent years, we conducted an array of researches on marine creatures, ecological environments and intelligent fishery. Our researches, including the invasion of alien spices (Spartina alterniflora for instance), the monitoring of red tide and microplastics, the conservation of germplasm resource of protists, the treatment of pollution, the intelligence in breeding platform and the shipping safety management, have technologically supported the marine fishery and ecological preservation in Fuzhou.” A scholar from Minjiang University said.
Lecturers from Fuzhou Municipal Ocean and Fishery Administration indicate that in past few years, Fuzhou has strengthened its fundamental capacities, such as fishing harbor construction, forecasting and broadcasting, the organization and real-time localization of fishing boat and the building of emergency command system, in the field of maritime disaster prevention. Besides, Fuzhou has proactively prepared contingency plans, made emergency drills, and raised people’s awareness of disasters. “Fuzhou has broad space for cooperation with sister cities on fishery, harbor, tourism, and technology etc. Together with our committee members, I hope we could further deepen pragmatic collaboration and build a marine community with shared future for all parties.” A lecturer said.
Mr. Octavi De la Varga, Secretary General of Metropolis, pointed out that “Marine Ecological Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction” is a crucial topic for all members and that it is imperative to seek better and shared solutions with an open mind so as to reduce the disaster risk and ensure the marine sustainability.
“21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, jointly established by the UCLG ASPAC, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, will continue to play an active role to deepen the communication and cooperation among its committee members in marine conservation, and thus promote the marine economic sustainability”, said Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of the UCLG ASPAC.
A senior official from the Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government said that this workshop is significant to the deeper communication and cooperation among members and the stronger influence and cohesion of the Committee. The Committee will take this activity as an opportunity to further build the mechanisms of effective dialogue and coordination, construct the significant communicative platform for the “Belt & Road” marine cooperation, concentrate resources of coastal cities and local governments in the Asian-Pacific and the world at large, in order to deepen the exchanges and cooperation in fields of marine economy, marine conservation and disaster prevention and mitigation among coastal cities or organizations in various countries and regions.
“It is hoped that this workshop can further build consensus and promote the sense of calling and responsibility for marine ecological conservation and disaster risk reduction across all sectors of society, so that forceful measures can be taken to really improve the capacity in disaster prevention and mitigation and protect the vast blue oceans,” said this senior official.
From 26th to 30th in August, 2019, 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee held the Workshop on “Marine Ecology Conservation and Management” at Minjiang University. The Workshop was hosted by 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) and undertaken by Minjiang University. It aims to promote the daily work of the Committee, further deepen the exchanges and cooperation among the Committee members, and expand the influence and cohesion of the Committee. The participants included more than 10 government officials from Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago and Pakistan as well as over 10 experts and scholars from 8 universities and research institutes such as Tsinghua University, Xiamen University and Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.
The Workshop was diverse in form and rich in content. We scheduled 6 lectures to share in-depth discussions with participants on marine plankton diversity and ecological cycle, marine microbial diversity and ecological importance, marine fishery resources, advances in marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable technologies utilization and marine plastic waste management. Besides taking lectures, the participants visited Institute of Oceanography of Mingjiang University and Ocean World-Europark to observe marine microbes under microscopes and study the marine zooplankton and bottom-dwelling creatures in the seabed and their living environment, in order to fully understand the marine biodiversity and the necessity of marine protection. They also visited Zhenghe Historical Exhibition Hall, Zhenghe Square, and Three Lanes and Seven Alleys to understand the history and culture of Fuzhou and its important position as a strategic pivot city in the core area of Maritime Silk Road.
The Workshop had a good impact with evident effectiveness. During the event, 6 local government officials filled out the membership application form to show their intention to join the Committee. Moreover, all the participants expressed that they have learned a lot via the Workshop, which will help them build a better maritime city. They hope to participate more activities of the Committee in the future and strengthen the cooperation between their cities and Fuzhou in fisheries, agriculture, trade, etc. They also visited the abalone breeding site in Lianjiang County. After the visit, Mr. Mohamed Naseem, Mayor of Beruwala, said that Beruwala plans to vigorously develop the aquaculture, and he sincerely welcomes Fuzhou enterprises to invest the industry in his city. He also promised to provide 9.5 hectares of coastal land and related policy support. Meanwhile, he hopes that this type of workshop could be conducted in Sri Lanka in the future so that more local people could learn marine knowledge from it.
The Workshop on “Marine Ecology Conservation and Management” was an important special event of the Committee this year. It has created a new dialogue and exchange platform for the countries along the Maritime Silk Road to explore marine ecological protection, marine industry development and to deepen practical cooperation, promoted the dialogue and linkage mechanism among cities and regions along the “Belt and Road”, which have achieved exemplary results. The Committee will continue to organize a variety of activities to build a broad “Belt and Road” maritime cooperation and exchange platform for promoting exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between port cities and international organizations, so as to further the development of Maritime Fuzhou and the core area of Maritime Silk Road.
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