On October 26, 2026 (local time), Bao Daming, Director General of the International Mangrove Center (IMC), attended a side event titled “Mobilising Social Funds and Resources for National Park and Botanical Garden Systems: Integrated Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development” during the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. He delivered remarks at the event and engaged with representatives of international organizations.
In his remarks, Bao emphasized that achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires broad participation across society and coordinated efforts in policy, financing, science and technology. He put forward three recommendations: first, establish long-term partnerships that encourage non-profit organizations and the private sector to participate in ecological conservation; second, expand the use of technologies such as remote sensing and drones to improve the scientific basis and transparency of conservation efforts; and third, explore innovative financing mechanisms, including blue carbon, green carbon and ecological compensation, to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable community development.
Side event at CBD COP17
During the conference, Bao met with Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI. They exchanged views on wetland conservation, mangrove restoration and sustainable management, urban biodiversity, and climate resilience, and expressed their shared interest in strengthening knowledge sharing, capacity building, and partnerships.
Bao Daming, Director General of the IMC, with Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI
Bao also met with Zhou Guomei, Head of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) Secretariat, to explore the possibility of IMC participation in projects supported by the Fund and potential areas for future cooperation.
Participation in CBD COP17 provided the IMC with an opportunity to strengthen its ties with international organizations and partners and expand its international engagement. The IMC will continue to serve as an inter-governmental platform for knowledge sharing, technical exchange, and practical cooperation in mangrove conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, contributing to global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.