Recently, Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (hereinafter referred to as "China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation"), as an executive member of the Marine Connectivity Working Group (MCWG) of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), was invited to have a one-on-one meeting with Barbara Lausche, Chair of the Executive Committee of the MVWG. The dialogue aims to share and update the work of both parties and discuss the draft work plan of the Marine Connectivity Working Group 2022-2024.

Connectivity protection is regarded by scientists, decision makers and practitioners around the world as a comprehensive approach to better protect nature in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. The interruption of connectivity and the fragmentation of habitats are one of the important reasons for the rapid loss of biodiversity today. The Connectivity Working Group (MCWG), approved by the World Conservation Union World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCNWCPA), aims to develop science-based connectivity protection measures, effectively integrate these measures into national, cross-sector and global marine protection policies, projects and measures, and achieve healthy and sustainable management of marine, coastal ecosystems and marine life.

Dr. Zhou Jinfeng focused on introducing to President Barbara Rauscher the work of the China Green Development Foundation's "Plastic Reduction and Collection Working Group" in reducing plastic waste pollution and dedicating itself to marine ecological protection for many years.

Dr. Zhou Jinfeng said: In recent years, the problem of plastic pollution has become increasingly serious, causing many harms to biodiversity, marine ecology, the earth's environment, and human health. China Green Development Foundation has been actively carrying out actions in the field of plastic reduction to enhance the environmental awareness of plastic reduction in the whole society, such as: calling for "reducing plastic and picking up plastic", promoting supermarket shopping to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags; promoting Beijing and Tianjin to introduce the "Light Bottle Action" policy and initiative to implement the spirit of the Green Conference; in order to safeguard the public interest of the environment, prosecuting relevant takeaway companies and over-packaging mooncake companies that damage the environment; promoting the Chinese education department to introduce the "Plastic-free School Season" policy, etc.

In June 2021, China Green Development Foundation was invited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to join the Nairobi Group of Friends of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution (NGoF) to jointly discuss the pollution problems facing the marine ecosystem and develop practical solutions, and actively participate in the discussion of topics including plastic resolution, animal welfare, sustainable infrastructure, etc. at the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly resumed session (UNEA-5.2) held in February 2022.

In the recently concluded United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, the international expert delegation of China Green Development Foundation attended the Ocean Conference on the spot and actively participated in the discussion of the conference topics. In the second interactive dialogue on managing, protecting, conserving and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, delegates raised the importance of strengthening international cooperation to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. Delegates said that ensuring the health of marine ecosystems, supporting livelihoods and driving economic growth requires targeted support for key sectors, including fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, energy, shipping and port activities, seabed mining, and innovative areas such as renewable energy and marine biotechnology, which is particularly important for small island developing States.

During the United Nations Ocean Conference, China Green Development Foundation successfully held the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference side event with the theme of "Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development-Promoting Synergies between Sustainable Development Goals 4, 7, 13, 14 and 15". The meeting invited many ambassadors to China, as well as experts in animal protection, sustainable development, genetic engineering and other fields, to discuss how to promote marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, bio-friendly clean energy and marine education from global to local levels.

In addition, the China Green Development Foundation delegation will also attend the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference on a Legally Binding International Instrument for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (BBNJIGC5) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from August 15 to 26. In order to actively participate in global ocean governance, China Green Development Foundation has been organizing delegations to attend meetings and actively participate in BBNJ negotiations since the United Nations launched the BBNJ intergovernmental negotiations in 2018, looking forward to establishing a system for the protection and utilization of marine biological resources in the high seas, which accounts for half of the earth's area, as soon as possible.

President Barbara Rausch expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the great contribution made by China Green Development Foundation in eliminating marine debris and protecting marine ecology. She said that previously, the Mote Marine Laboratories' Marine Policy Institute and the Ocean Connectivity Working Group jointly produced international and regional conference tables related to marine ecological connectivity, aiming to share information from international conventions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations and various symposiums. She highly affirmed CBCGDF's performance and actions in participating in international conferences, and hoped that CBCGDF would continue to expand its contribution to the science, protection and policy of ocean connectivity.

(This article is compiled based on the meeting minutes and is for reference only)

Text/Sara Review/Linda Edited/angel

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