After more than two decades of close cooperation, shared projects, and deep professional trust, the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea bid farewell to its long-standing partners at the Institute for Peace Affairs. The gathering in the Institute’s new Goyang office marked both an end and a celebration of a remarkable chapter in joint peace and research efforts.

In late November 2025, the Gangwon DMZ Museum opened a new photo exhibition on North Gangwon Province, supported by Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea. Notably, featuring photographs by Dr. Bernhard Seliger, Resident Representative, showcasing the region’s landscapes and cities and highlighting years of partnership in the border area.

During a multi-day visit to the Republic of Korea, Dr. Susanne Luther strengthened partnerships in political dialogue, environmental protection, and regional development. Through high-level meetings with Korean and international stakeholders, she reaffirmed the Hanns Seidel Foundation’s long-standing commitment to peace, sustainability, and cross-border cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.

The HSF GMACC Conference 2025 in Windhoek brings together partners from around the world to share knowledge on climate initiatives, strengthen regional cooperation, and address global climate challenges together.

On 20 November 2025, experts, practitioners, and citizen scientists gathered in Paju for the Swan Goose Citizen Science Roundtable to discuss the ecological importance of the Swan Goose, present local conservation measures, and strengthen exchange between researchers and the public.

On 10 November, HSF Korea brought together experts, partners, and site managers to strengthen collaboration along the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways, review progress achieved, and develop new approaches for the conservation of migratory birds and wetlands.

The 12th Meeting of Partners of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership will be held in Cebu, Philippines, hosted by DENR and the EAAFP Secretariat. The event will bring together partners, experts, and site managers to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and explore innovative approaches for flyway conservation.

At the 46th Korea Reunification Forum held at Kangwon National University, perspectives on sustainable environmental cooperation between North and South Korea in the border region were presented. Experts discussed how ecological collaboration can contribute to peace and sustainable development on the Korean Peninsula.

Decades of cooperation among governments, NGOs, and local communities have led to a significant increase in the Black-faced Spoonbill population. HSF Korea supports the species’ conservation while fostering regional cooperation for peace and biodiversity in East Asia.

On October 14, the workshop “Global Flyways, the Emerging Central Asian Flyway Initiative and Conserving Habitat” was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organized by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea under the Global Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC) program, in cooperation with the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), the event emphasized the importance of regional collaboration for conserving migratory bird habitats across the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).

The Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) co-organised a seminar bringing together experts from Germany and Korea to discuss peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and future cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.

Invitation to Our Upcoming Event: "Global Flyways, the Emerging Central Asian Flyway Initiative, and Habitat Conservation"

The Global Korea Forum 2025 in Seoul addressed the pressing challenges facing democracy, peace, and inter-Korean relations. Discussions focused on fostering exchange, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and promoting sustainable collaboration in agriculture and forestry, with civil society playing a key role.

From September 22–24, Dr. Bernhard Seliger of the Hanns Seidel Foundation joined the Senior Officials Meeting of the Northeast Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC) in Ulaanbaatar. Delegates from six Northeast Asian countries reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on pressing environmental challenges, from biodiversity and marine ecology to air pollution and desertification.

On 30 September 2025, the German Seminar of the Global Korea Forum 2025 will take place at the Free University of Berlin. The seminar will address, among other topics, division, reunification, and cultural perspectives of Korea and Germany

The World Coastal Forum 2025 took place in Yancheng, China (23–25 September) under the theme “Beautiful Coasts: Ecological Priority and Green Development.” Key topics included the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems, sustainable development, and international cooperation on Yellow Sea tidal flats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On September 13, Beijing hosted the International Experts’ Forum on “War, Peace and Reconciliation”. Scholars, diplomats, and foundation representatives from China and Europe gathered to reflect on history, peace concepts, and future challenges in global governance.

With a view of the Gumgangsan Mountains, the German Unification Poster Exhibition opened on September 8th at the Reunification Observatory in Goseong.

On September 6th, 2025, members of the German-Korean Youth Forum visited the Aegibong Peace Eco Park in Gimpo together with the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The seminar highlighted inter-Korean relations, ecological aspects of the border region, and provided opportunities for in-depth exchange with experts.

From fewer than 300 birds in 1989 to nearly 7,000 in 2024, the Black-faced Spoonbill has benefited from decades of international cooperation. The revised Action Plan (2026–2036) will address emerging threats and guide conservation across North-East Asia.