 The Upo Wetland, the largest inland wetland in Korea, is clouded with fog at predawn in April when the temperature difference between day and night time is at its peak. / Korea Times Photo by Wang Tae-seok |
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Experts, government officers and civic environmental leaders from 158 countries around the world will gather Tuesday in the southeastern Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, to discuss the conservation of wetlands.
The 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, widely known as Ramsar COP10, will kickoff in the city from Tuesday to continue till Nov. 4 under the theme of ``Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People.''
Changwon Exhibition Convention Center (CECO) and nearby wetlands, including Upo Wetlands ― the largest inland Ramsar-listed wetland here ― and Junam Reservoir, will be the main venue for the convention.
It is the second time for the triennial conference to be held in Asia, following Japan's Kusiro meeting in 1993. The number of participants is expected to reach 2,000 from 158 countries around the world, the largest ever including those from non-contracting parties and environmental NGOs.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is the world's first treaty to provide a framework for national action and international cooperation on the conservation and wise and efficient use is wetlands and their resources.
The international pact was adopted in Ramsar, a city in Iran, in 1971 and took effect in 1975. South Korea joined in the movement in 1997 as the 101st country, with 158 nations joining so far.
South Korea has eight Ramsar-listed wetlands ― Yong Wetlands in Inje, Gangwon Province; Upo Wetlands in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province; Jangdo Wetlands and tidal flats at Suncheon Bay and Muan, South Jeolla Province; Mulyeongari Orum Wetlands in Jeju; Mujechi Wetlands in Ulsan; and Duung Wetlands in South Chungcheong Province.
``Through the conference, Changwon aims to promote the city around the world as `an environmental capital,' introducing the province's wetlands including Junam Reservoir, the nation's biggest stopover for migratory birds,'' Changwon Mayor Park Wan-su said.
pss@koreatimes.co.kr
