AIT organizes Wetlands Alliance International Conference in Cambodia

Attracting over 70 participants and 42 paper presentations, the three-day conference aimed to build and strengthen bridges between scientists, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers engaged in natural wetlands management in the Mekong region and beyond.

The conference was co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia and AIT. Wetlands Alliance, CORIN Asia, WorldFish Center and WWF were organizing partners.

In his opening remarks, H.E Yin Kim Sean, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment, Royal Government of Cambodia, highlighted the significance of water and wetlands for local rural communities and emphasized the importance of their management as a basis for the functioning of society.

Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice-President Academic Affairs, represented AIT at the opening ceremony. In his opening remarks, he underscored the achievements of the Wetlands Alliance and reiterated AIT's continued commitment to contribute to developing and implementing sustainable development solutions through research, education and outreach.

Keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Robert Mather on behalf of the Secretariat of the 'Ramsar Convention', an international treaty on the protection of globally important wetlands, and Dr. Zeb Hogan, the host and star of National Geographic's "Monsterfish" television program.Dr. Hogan has been working in the Mekong region for nearly 20 years, researching giant freshwater fish in the region. In his keynote, he passionately highlighted the links between the world's largest freshwater fish and communities, presenting numerous examples from around the world of efforts that promote the co-existence of people and fish.

According to Dr. Hogan, there are many examples that give reason for hope that species such as the Mekong Giant Catfish have a future, despite the potentially devastating impacts of large infrastructure development works along the Mekong River.

Conference papers covered themes such as conservation, climate change and livelihoods. Participants presented both research and experiences from program implementation though to be useful for further program planning.

The conference concluded with a field trip to Cambodia's latest protected area under the Ramsar Convention – Prek Toal – which is considered to be the premier wetland site on Tonle Sap Great Lake. Last year it was designated as Cambodia's fourth Ramsar site.

• ข่าว Secretariat