The fourth meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – Global Environment Facility (GEF) Piloting Provincial-level Wetland Protected Area System in Jiangxi Province was held on April 2.

In the meeting, the Committee was expanded to include more members from seven departments of Jiangxi Province, namely: Jiangxi Development and Reform Commission, Jiangxi Department of Natural Resources, Jiangxi Department of Water Conservancy, Jiangxi Department of Ecology and Environment, Jiangxi Department of Agriculture and Rural Areas, Jiangxi Department of Culture and Tourism, Jiangxi Bureau of Market Supervision. An inter-departmental Project Steering Committee was thus formed between these departments and Jiangxi Forestry Bureau, Jiangxi Department of Finance, FAO and International Crane Foundation, which would significantly contribute to full implementation of the project and province-wide promotion of wetland and biodiversity conservation.

Carlos Watson, FAO Representative to China, emphasized in the opening speech, “the formulation of an inter-departmental steering committee would lay a solid foundation for realizing the project’s expected goals. FAO will continue to work with the expanded committee in implementing the project and extending its influence in the province.” He also expressed his wish that the project achievements and experience could be shared to other developing countries via South-South Cooperation after the project is finished.

Liu Bin, head of the Project Steering Committee and deputy director of Jiangxi Forestry Bureau, welcomed the new members before introducing the progress that had been achieved since inception of the project. He then made a three-point proposal on improving the existing work mechanism, formulating a well-designed work plan and accelerating transformation of project achievements. He also placed confidence in the expanded committee in making even greater progress.

Peng Hui, head of the Office of Debt Management under Jiangxi Department of Finance, said that Jiangxi Department of Finance would closely collaborate with all stakeholders and ensure safe and compliant use of the project fund. She also called on FAO and Jiangxi Provincial Government to explore more opportunities of potential cooperation in agriculture and forestry.

Also discussed in the meeting were the project work plan and budget plan in 2021 and Strategic Management of Jiangxi Wetland Protected Area. On the day before the meeting was held, the participants made field visits to Poyang Lake Natural Education and Experiment Centre and Poyang Lake Wetland and Migrant Bird Education Centre.

This was the first field trip that Carlos Watson had ever made since taking office in this February as FAO Representative to China. It was also the first time that he had visited Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake. “Poyang Lake is a wetland with international importance. It is home to hundreds of thousands of water birds. I am delighted to see that the overall ecological environment in Poyang Lake is improving, biodiversity is well conserved, and public awareness of wetland and migrant birds protection is significantly enhanced thanks to the joint efforts of multi-stakeholders and the implementation of the project,” said Carlos Watson.

The project of FAO-GEF Piloting Provincial-level Wetland Protected Area System in Jiangxi Province is jointly implemented by FAO, Jiangxi Department of Finance, and Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve Administration under Jiangxi Forestry Bureau. With a grant of USD 5.289 million from GEF, the project will last five years and is expected to conclude in October 2023. The project objective is to enhance management effectiveness of local wetland protection system and promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in globally important wetlands in Jiangxi Province of China.