APEC Workshop on Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Community Development Successfully Held in Shenzhen
From October 28 to 30, under the guidance of International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the APEC Workshop on Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Community Development, organized by FIO, was successfully held in Shenzhen. The event brought together around 100 participants, including government officials, entrepreneurs, representatives of international organizations, researchers, protected area representatives, as well as academics and community delegates from nine economies such as China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Russia, along with countries including Panama, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Group Photo of Participants
At the opening ceremony, leaders and representatives from the International Cooperation Department of MNR, the Department of Natural Protected Area Management of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the First Institute of Oceanography of MNR, Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resources Development of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute of Thailand, and the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources attended and delivered remarks. The representative from the International Cooperation Department of MNR called for combining innovative thinking with practical actions to establish a cross-regional, cross-departmental, and interdisciplinary collaborative governance mechanism, aiming to achieve a win-win outcome for ecological conservation and community well-being. In his address, Director General LI Tiegang of FIO extended a warm welcome to all attendees and emphasized that the workshop serves not only as a platform for experience exchange and collaborative dialogue but also as a crucial opportunity to advance regional marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable community development.
Director General LI Tiegang deliver remarks
The workshop focused on marine biodiversity conservation and community sustainable development. It featured in-depth exchanges across four key themes: macro strategies and policy guidance, innovation-driven approaches and technological empowerment, integrated practices and collaborative management, and multi-stakeholder governance and community empowerment. Participants actively shared practical experiences and effective implementation pathways, exchanging views on enhancing public participation, strengthening financial and technical assistance, and improving regulations and policies.
Onsite workshop
During the workshop, the APEC Technical Guidelines for Community-Based Marine Biodiversity Conservation, compiled under the leadership of FIO, were officially released. The Guidelines provide analysis across multiple dimensions, including ecosystem services, key species conservation, community governance, and data monitoring. They also offer specific recommendations such as community-led governance, cross-regional collaboration, and evidence-based monitoring mechanisms, earning unanimous recognition and high praise from the attendees.
The successful hosting of this workshop has not only established a platform for transnational exchange and knowledge sharing but also demonstrated APEC's strong commitment to promoting marine ecological civilization and sustainable development goals in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, it has laid a solid foundation for future cross-regional cooperation.