Wetland City Mayors Gather in Dongying for 2024 Roundtable

DONGYING, China, Oct. 20, 2024 — The vibrant red seepweed blooming at the Yellow River estuary signals the start of an international event. On October 15, the 2024 Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors commenced in Dongying City, Shandong Province. This gathering brought together 220 leaders, experts, scholars, and representatives from 31 cities across seven countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hungary, France, Rwanda, and Morocco, to engage in discussions on key aspects of wetland protection and sustainable urban development. The event aims to foster global collaboration in wetland conservation and urban development.

Transforming the “wetland community” into a “cooperation community” is the core objective of this event. Hosted by the Dongying Municipal People’s Government, this three-day roundtable, themed “Wetlands Enrich Cities for a Shared Future,” features a diverse array of activities, including expert keynote speeches, specialized presentations, parallel forums, wetland city network meetings, and field observations. The event provides a platform for extensive exchange and interaction among wetland cities from around the world, strengthening the momentum for the protection of the “Kidney of the Earth” and creating a harmonious world where humans and nature coexist.

Nestled in the northern part of Shandong Province, along the shores of the Bohai Sea, Dongying holds a prominent position as a central city in the Yellow River Delta and at the estuary of the Yellow River. The convergence of rivers and seas has enriched this extraordinary land, endowing Dongying with abundant natural and unique ecological resources. The city boasts the largest, most intact, and youngest estuarine wetland ecosystem in the world’s warm temperate zone, making it a globally significant example of estuarine wetland ecosystems. Spanning 456,700 hectares, Dongying’s wetlands represent 41.58% of its total area, earning it a place on the International Important Wetlands List.

As one of the first cities globally to be designated as an “International Wetland City” and the host city for China’s first roundtable of wetland city mayors, Dongying has undertaken numerous wetland restoration initiatives to bolster wetland protection and biodiversity. The city has pioneered a distinctive wetland restoration model at the Yellow River Estuary, focusing on strengthening habitat protection for key bird species. In July of this year, the migratory bird habitat at the Yellow River Estuary was successfully recognized as a world natural heritage site. Furthermore, Dongying has effectively integrated wetlands with urban spaces to enhance ecological protection within urban wetlands, promote the development of wetland-themed areas, and encourage harmonious coexistence between urban environments and wetlands. The city’s ecological character, defined by clear air and eco-friendly living conditions, is increasingly prominent.

Source: Dongying Municipal People’s Government

CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86--10-63074558