8th East Asian Seas Congress Kicks Off in Xiamen
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞,” said Vice-Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Shen Yueyue at the opening ceremony of the 8th East Asian Seas Congress at the Grand Ballroom of the Xiamen International Convention Center in Fujian Province, China.
Dr. Vann Monyneath, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council followed up with an inspiring message on the need to synergize conservation efforts. Fujian Province Governor Zhao Long showcased the natural capital and beauty of Fujian province. China’s Minister of Natural Resources Sun Shuxian and CPC Xiamen Municipal Committee Secretary Cui Yonghui and Ministry of Natural Resources Director-General for Territorial and Spatial Ecology Restoration Wang Lei followed suit with various messages of support and calls-to-action to synergize efforts conserve the region’s oceans and coasts.
Among the key highlights of the opening ceremony was the conferment of the ‘Achievement Award for Best Practice in Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration’ to the City of Xiamen for its impressive and continuing efforts to restore and transform once-degraded ecosystems into thriving biodiversity hubs and ecotourism spots. Delegates then proceeded to a quick Ribbon-cutting Ceremony in front of PEMSEA’s interactive mangrove-themed exhibit to explore the various sub-exhibits and booths, seeing firsthand the kind of diverse work PEMSEA’s partners are doing in and around East Asia.
Over 800 delegates from all over the world attended the 6 November EAS Congress opening ceremony, which paves the way for three jam-packed days full of learning sessions and networking opportunities. Please read on to see our conference highlights.
