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30 Dec 2016

CUHK ISEIS Advises China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development on Mangrove Conservation

30 Dec 2016
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Dr. Zhang Hongsheng gives a presentation on ‘Remote Sensing of Mangrove Forests in Hong Kong’.

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (1st left) and Ms. Nina Raasakka, UNEP officer (2nd left).

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (3rd right) and Mr. Jerome Alano, officer from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (3rd left).

A group photo of participants in the Seminar on Cooperation under the China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development (provided by the organizer).

The Institute of Space and Earth Information Science (ISEIS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), will give the China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development advice on mangrove conservation in the developing countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ISEIS has been invited to participate in the Partnership’s research programme in view of its research in and contributions to satellite remote sensing applications in tropical and subtropical regions. 

At the Seminar on Cooperation under the China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development held in Shenzhen, China recently, Dr. Zhang Hongsheng, Research Assistant Professor from ISEIS at CUHK, was invited to give a presentation on ‘Remote Sensing of Mangrove Forests in Hong Kong’. He held a discussion on mangrove ecosystem conservation with other experts, and they came to the conclusion that it is necessary to build data sharing platforms, demonstrate inter-city cooperation, improve legal protection for mangroves as well as encourage non-governmental participation. 

Dr. Zhang proposed building an international joint laboratory for the remote sensing monitoring of mangrove forest. Its aim would be to utilise the advanced satellite remote sensing techniques of ISEIS to promote and assist mangrove ecosystem conservation and restoration work for ASEAN developing countries, as well as improve  cooperation between developing countries (South-South cooperation). This proposal found strong support from the representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as many ASEAN countries. They expressed optimism about the great potential for the role of remote sensing techniques in future mangrove conservation and restoration.

The China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development was officially launched in September 2016, opening a new chapter of cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in sustainable urban development. This seminar is the first discussion between China and ASEAN countries since the establishment of the partnership. It was attended by governmental officers from UNEP, UN-Habitat, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar as well as China, and also scholars from scientific research institutes and representatives from non-governmental organizations. Topics on urban ecology conservation were widely reported on and discussed in depth.

 



Dr. Zhang Hongsheng gives a presentation on ‘Remote Sensing of Mangrove Forests in Hong Kong’.

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng gives a presentation on ‘Remote Sensing of Mangrove Forests in Hong Kong’.

 

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (1st left) and Ms. Nina Raasakka, UNEP officer (2nd left).

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (1st left) and Ms. Nina Raasakka, UNEP officer (2nd left).

 

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (3rd right) and Mr. Jerome Alano, officer from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (3rd left).

Dr. Zhang Hongsheng (3rd right) and Mr. Jerome Alano, officer from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (3rd left).

 

A group photo of participants in the Seminar on Cooperation under the China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development (provided by the organizer).

A group photo of participants in the Seminar on Cooperation under the China-ASEAN Partnership for Ecologically Friendly Urban Development (provided by the organizer).

 

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