- Thematic Side Event on “MAB and OECMS” Held during the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou
On September 23, the thematic side event “MAB and OECMs: Local and Global Opportunities” was held in Hangzhou as part of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves. The event was organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), and the Specialist Group on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and co-organized by the IUCN China Office, the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, South China Agricultural University, and the Shan Shui Conservation Center. It received supported from the China Biodiversity Foundation and the Global Environment Facility.
The event brought together domestic and international experts and representatives from biosphere reserves to exchange ideas on advancing area-based conservation. Participants discussed the concept and implementation of OECMs in China, explored opportunities and challenges in promoting synergy between OECMs and biosphere reserves, and announced the launch of the second call for potential OECM case studies in China.
The program featured keynote speeches, case-sharing sessions, and roundtable discussions. Experts presented the global progress of OECMs, explored pathways toward achieving the “30×30” target, and shared practical experiences from various cases. The discussions provided valuable insights for advancing OECM development in China and globally, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and interconnected conservation network and to the realization of the “30×30” targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Source: Shan Shui Conservation Center
- China-US College Students Sustainable Development Study Camp Concluded in Beijing
From September 23 to 25, the China-US College Students Sustainable Development Study Camp was successfully held at the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF), with support from the China Action for Climate Empowerment Promotion Center (C Team) for the Beijing-based activities. More than 20 student representatives from universities, including Yale University and Peking University took part in the program.
During the three-day camp, participants visited companies such as Xiaomi Auto and COFCO Coca-Cola to learn about the intelligent manufacturing of new energy vehicles and China-US economic and trade cooperation. They also visited Beijing Sports University to experience training equipment and participated in a dragon boat racing activity, followed by a tour of the Hope Project exhibition at CYDF.
At the roundtable session, Zhang Hua, Secretary-General of CYDF, delivered a welcome address encouraging young people from both countries to strengthen mutual trust and deepen cooperation. Chinese and American students engaged in discussions on topics such as urban governance, eco-friendly materials, and artificial intelligence. The event not only showcased China’s exploration and practice in sustainable development to American students but also further fostered dialogue and exchanges between Chinese and American youth.
Source: C Team
