Experts discuss eco-civilization at global conservation meeting

By YAN DONGJIE (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-09-10 01:51

Conservation and environmental experts and Chinese officials discussed the concept of eco-civilization at the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Convention Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nature Conservancy participated on Wednesday in the discussion on eco-civilization, which was proposed in 2007 by China and focuses on respecting, adapting to and conserving nature in meeting social and economic needs.

"Eco-civilization is the final solution for the existing environmental problems, which we should cooperate on," said Zhang Xiwu, manager of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and NR in State Forestry Administration, adding that China has been building a complete system to promote eco-civilization.

Zhang said that China also gives high priority to promoting and incorporating the eco-civilization concept into the economic, political, cultural and social development of the country.

"The concept of eco-civilization really fits well with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals," said Karin Krchnak, director of the Freshwater Program of WWF, adding that people can see the efforts China is making to improve the world’s environment.

Experts discuss eco-civilization at global conservation meeting

Experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wide Fund for Nature, the Nature Conservancy, and officials from China discussed the concept of eco-civilization at the 2016 IUCN World Convention Congress held in Honolulu, Hawaii.[Photo by Yan Dongjie/China Daily]

About 8,000 people from more than 180 countries gathered in Honolulu to discuss environmental protection and sustainable development challenges at the 6th IUCN World Conservation Congress from Sept 1 to 10.

About 300 Chinese, including government officials, representatives from colleges, research centers, and other environment protecting organizations attended the congress, marking the biggest attendance ever, according to Guo Yufu, a division director of the International Forestry Cooperation Center of the State Forestry Administration.

Zhang Xiwu, manager of the Wildlife Conservation department and NR in State Forestry Administration, introduced the concept of eco-civilization on Wednesday.[Photo by Yan Dongjie/China Daily]

Xinchen Wei, co-founder of Youth Lead, speaks for Youth from China at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii.[Photo by Yan Dongjie/China Daily]

Chinese youth delegates support IUCN as volunteers, interacting with audience members through tattoo games, showing Chinese traditional calligraphy and sending special gifts.[Photo by Yan Dongjie/China Daily]

Chinese youth delegates showcased and shared their personal nature experiences on Sunday in four categories, including endangered species, sustainable cities, environmental education and technology.[Photo by Yan Dongjie/China Daily]