6th Northeast Asia and North Pacific Environmental Forum Workshop,  December 1998

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to offer you the first announcement of The Sixth Northeast Asia and North Pacific Environmental Forum Workshop and look forward to your quick responses in the near future.  I will be grateful if you could disseminate this announcement as widely as possible.

With best wishes, Chen Kelin, Coordinator

THE SIXTH NORTHEAST ASIA AND NORTH PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM WORKSHOP

Yueyang City, People's Republic of China, 17-20 December 1998

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

Overall Organizers

• State Environmental Protection Administration, China
• State Forestry Administration, China
• Wetlands International
• The Asia Foundation

Funding Agencies

• Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
• The Asia Foundation-Japan Office

Technical Experts

• Wetlands International
• China Environmental Protection Foundation

Introduction

In Northeast Asia, the far-reaching border area of China, Russia, Korea, and Mongolia is rich in natural resources and biological diversity. It is also an area that is extremely vulnerable to increasing economic development.

The vast forests, wetlands, river plains and deltas that still remain in this region are home to some of the most unique ecosystems and inhabitant species found on the earth. Here on the Pacific shores is key habitat for numerous marine mammals and vital oceanic fishes. Here also is the Amur River, one of the world's longest river system to still remain un-impeded by any dam.

Given the fact that there is insufficient environmental cooperation among these Northeast Asian countries, there is little doubt that the present time is an important threshold for determining the future, both in the realms of regional economic development and of international conservative cooperation.

Workshop Objectives The workshop will provide an opportunity for government officials, NGO representatives, reserve managers, international and national technical experts to advance international environmental collaborations in Northeast Asia and North Pacific Ocean. The main objectives of the workshop are to:

• review the regional progress of international environmental cooperation;
• highlight regional environmental strategies and policies which could be implemented;
• make collective recommendations for delivery to policy-makers, including suggestions on the creation of new (and strengthening of existing) protected areas, or on the introduction of new laws or treaties, or on funding larger projects for nature protection;
• recommend plans of action for all parties in protecting certain key species and their essential habitats;
• plan for future prioritization and collaboration among NEANPEF members.

Themes of the Workshop

1. Multilateral approaches to regional environmental issue

2. Transboundary protected areas

3. Wetland conservation and wise use

4. Migratory bird conservation

5. The future of NEANPEF

The workshop will commence with an opening ceremony and followed by a plenary session, several technical sessions and final plenary session covering the main workshop objectives. A detailed programme will be circulated with a final announcement.

Working Languages

English and Chinese. Interpretation between English and Chinese will be available for the workshop.

Venue

Yueyang City, Hunan Province, where East Dongting Lake, one of the seven Ramsar sites of China, is located.

Climate

In December the local air temperature will be around zero degree. Warm coats are recommended for all participants.

Field Trip

A mid-workshop field trip will be organized to the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve.

Workshop Presentations

Participants requesting to make an oral presentation at the technical sessions are required to send an abstract of no less than 500 words in English no later than November 20, 1998 to the organizing secretariat by mail, fax or email. A short Curriculum Vitae of the author(s) should also be enclosed. The content must be relevant to the topics of the workshop. Facilities for oral and poster presentations will be available.

Accommodation

Accommodations for all participants will be available. Single room and twin room with shower and bath will be available. Accommodation for all participants will be arranged by the organizers only after completed registration forms are received.

Meals

Chinese food will be served during the workshop.

Entry and In-transit Visa

Foreign participants are requested to make the necessary arrangements to enter China.

Currency

Participants are requested to have Chinese currency (RMB) in cash or traveller's cheques.

Transportation

All the participants should arrange their travels by themselves in respective countries.

International Workshop Costs

Participants are required to pay a registration fee of US$100 and US$320 for accommodation, food and field trip of the workshop.

First Registration Deadline

Participants are requested to register by means of the enclosed "First Registration Form" by 15 November 1998 through email, fax or post.

Contact

Secretariat of the Sixth Northeast Asia and North Pacific Environmental Forum Workshop

c/o Wetlands International-China Programme

Room 501, Grand Forest Hotel, No. 19A, Beisanhuan Zhonglu Road, Beijing,

People's Republic of China 100029

Tel: +86 10 62058405/62058418/62377031, Fax: +86 10 62077900

Email: wetgef@public.bta.net.cn , chenkl@sun.ihep.ac.cn

THE SIXTH NORTHEAST ASIA AND NORTH PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM WORKSHOP

Yueyang City, People's Republic of China, 17-20 December 1998

 First Registration Form

Full Name (in block letters):

Gender (male/female):

Organization:

Mailing Address:

Title/Position:

Phone: Fax:

Email:

Arrival Day in China: Flight No.:

Departure Day from China: Flight No.:

Title of Presentation:

(1) Poster

(2) Oral-equipment needed: a. Overhead Projector b. Slide Projector c. Video Player

Please write down the following if you need a visa to enter China:

Date of Birth:

Passport Number:

Nationality:

Permanent Address: