Conference
Celebration for the EAAFP Secretariat 10th Anniversary

History of the EAAFP

After a short welcoming speech, given by the MC of the event, all the VIPs were introduced. Dr. Seliger from the Hanns Seidel Foundation was one of those important guests. An introductory video about the EAAFP and the importance of saving wetlands and migratory birds followed. The welcoming remarks and congratulatory speeches were given by Mr Cho Myung-rae, Minister of the Ministry of Environment, by Mr Nam-choon, mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, by Pete Probasco, chair of EAAFP and by Ms. Martha Rojas-Urrego, secretary general of the Ramsar Site Convention. Prof. Lei Guang Chun from the EAAFP Secretariat then talked about the past 10 years of the EAAFP. The numbers of EAAFP’s partners increased from 20 to 37 and the number of flyway network sites increased from 60 to 145. In the next 10 years, the EAAFP wants to continue to strengthen their partnerships and to achieve financial sustainability. The EAAFP will continue to save migratory waterbirds and their habitat on the East Asian – Australasian Flyway.

Presentation given by Martha Rojas-Urrego, from Ramsar Site Convention

After this short presentation two new ROK Flyway Network Sites were introduced. The Incheon Songdo Tidal Flat and the Janghang Wetland are from now on EAAF Flyway Network Sites. Ms Martha Rojas-Urrego, Dr Li Lifeng and Mr Martin Spray then gave their keynote presentations in which they focused on their own projects and the importance of wetlands. In the afternoon different case studies followed, focusing on different area along the EAAF. In the evening a special session took place. The main topic was plastic pollution and its relation to migratory birds and wetlands. The session ended with a discussion on the topic: How could we solve the pollution to conserve migratory waterbirds and their habitats in RO Korea? Reducing the amounts of plastic bags used in daily lives might be a good starting point.