The EAAFP Secretariat participated in local events in Ro Korea to promote conservation of migratory waterbirds and wetlands

From 19^thSeptember 2019 to 22^ndSeptember, from 10am to 4pm, DMZ festa was held at KINTEX Exhibition Center I Hall 5 in Goyang City. Organized by Gyeonggi-do and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, this event was initiated to celebrate the DPR Korea – RO Korea summit, which was held on 19 September 2018. The purpose of the event was to promote eco-tourism resources of DMZ and form global/national consensus for peace.

DMZ Festa was an exhibition and experience-based event, having 4 different themes for each day: History/Tradition, Food, Ecology, and Peace/Art. The exhibition also had 4 different themes: DMZ World Peace, Global Ecology, Tour Promotion and Communication & Experience. Within the category of each day, quiz contest, speech, and performance were held.

During the DMZ Fest, there were performance by a Korean traditional music band, screening event of the special video, and lecture by local scholars and celebrities history and culture. DMZ Quiz Contest to raise awareness of DMZ were held as well.

For 2 days, EAAFP Secretariat held a booth and introduced EAAFP’s mission and events, especially World Migratory Bird Day. EAAFP also learned about many different international organization who work for environment and peace.

From 24th to 25^thSeptember 2019, 2019 International Wetland Center Symposium was held at Changwon, organized by Gyeonsangnam-do Ramsar Environment Foundation (GREF). EAAFP Secretariat attended the event on 24th September and gave a special lecture about EAAFP on 24^thSeptember. This event was held to strengthen international cooperation and to share exemplary educational program. About 50 representatives from local and foreign wetland center participated in the event.

Starting with opening ceremony, the host introduced GREF and welcomed all the participants. Representatives from different organizations and countries such as Sir Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia gave presentations to share their experiences on wetland management and operating wetland centres. EAAFP also gave a a speech to introduce EAAFP and about the work on conserving wetland and migratory waterbirds.

After presentation session, the participants visited Junam Wetland and its Ramsar Cultural Center and learned about wetland managementin Changwon. Junam Reservoir is one of EAAFP Flyway Network Site (EAAF 095). This trip also helps to strengthen the relation of secretariat to the local site partner.