Hwaseong City-EAAFP MOU: Ongoing COVID-19 but Strengthening of Conservation

On 7th of May, 2020, Hwaseong City of Republic of Korea and EAAFP Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Hwaseong Wetlands [EAAF 142] and its migratory waterbirds of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. Hwaseong Wetlands joined the Flyway Site Network during the opening ceremony of MOP10 of EAAFP, in December 2018.

©EAAFP

This MOU aims to develop collaborative projects at Hwaseong Wetlands for the conservation of migratory waterbirds, in particular Far Eastern Curlew. Activities will include an International Symposium late in 2020, twining with an EAAFP Sister Site, supporting the implementation of the International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of Far Eastern Curlew, and producing promotion and education materials.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Doug Watkins, the Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat, and Mr. Cheol-mo Seo, Mayor of Hwaseong City of the Republic of Korea. Mr. Cheol-mo Seo has been working closely with our Secretariat before the designation of Hwaseong Wetland as a FNS, through hosting a meeting and 2018 International Symposium in Hwaseong City.

©EAAFP

Upon the signed MOU by the EAAFP Secretariat and Hwaseong City, both parties will collaborate to the conservation of migratory waterbirds, especially for Far Eastern Curlew, as over 1,000 individuals stage during migration at Hwaseong Wetlands. Also, Hwaseson City will actively promote the EAAFP Sister Site Agreement under the EAAFP Flyway Site Network and are looking forward to cooperation activities for the conservation of migratory waterbirds in the Flyway.

During the meeting followed by the ceremony, Mr. Doug Watkins, on behalf of the EAAFP Secretariat, remarked that this MOU will strengthen local engagement by generating activities at site-level. This collaboration is an opportunity for the Secretariat to build and share its experience with generating greater local community engagement with Flyway Network Sites.

Hwaseong City Mayor expressed gratitude to EAAFP Secretariat on the MoU. He mentioned that despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, he believed it was the chance to show the power and importance of nature by promoting the significance of migratory waterbirds and their habitats, such as Hwaseong Wetland, locally and internationally with the assistance of the EAAFP Secretariat.

©EAAFP

 

Press release in Korean on News Pim (dated on 7 May, 2020) in this link.

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