The International Mangrove Center (IMC) officially opened on July 26, the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, when its inaugural council meeting and inauguration ceremony were held in Shenzhen. The milestone event underscores China's commitment to multilateral cooperation in mangrove conservation.
The initiative was first proposed by China at the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention in November 2022. In September 2023, the convention's Standing Committee recognized it as a regional initiative.
In November 2024, representatives of 18 prospective member states gathered in Shenzhen to sign the Agreement on the Establishment of the IMC, which entered into force in June 2026. To date, the IMC comprises eight member states and 13 signatory countries, covering major mangrove regions across Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Mangrove forests are vital coastal wetlands that safeguard ecological security, preserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change and support sustainable coastal communities. China has long prioritized mangrove protection, enacting the Wetland Protection Law and incorporating mangroves into ecological conservation red lines and protected areas.
China has expanded its mangrove area to 31,700 hectares, a 44 percent increase since 2000, making it one of the few countries with a net gain in mangrove coverage. The growth came through successive five-year action plans, coordinated land-sea management and restoration efforts such as reforestation and the conversion of aquaculture ponds back to mangrove forest.
As the first intergovernmental organization dedicated to mangrove conservation, the IMC aims to foster global collaboration in protection, restoration and sustainable use. Its four years of preparatory work included compiling global mangrove resource status reports, conducting research on supporting policies and financing mechanisms and hosting six international training workshops that drew 137 participants from 30 countries.
The Ramsar Secretariat praised China's role in establishing the IMC and pledged continued support. Chinese officials reaffirmed their commitment to joint research, capacity building and demonstration projects with member states. Signatory countries described the IMC as a unique regional initiative under the Ramsar framework for policy dialogue and technical exchange.
The inaugural council adopted strategic plans and rules of procedure, appointed the secretary-general and deputy secretary-general, and formally established the IMC Secretariat in Shenzhen.
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photos | Shenzhen Special Zone Daily
