In the service of democracy, peace and development Hanns Seidel Foundation 2018 DMZ International Forum Felix Glenk, Project Manager for North Korea, Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea

“International Cooperation on Wetlands and Birds in Korea” Felix Glenk, Project Manager for North Korea, Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea

• Established in1967 as a political foundation affiliated with the CSU • Providing political education in Germany and 60 other states worldwide • Funded by the German government • 250,000 participants yearly in events around the world • Promoting Peace, Democracy and Development Hanns Seidel Foundation Worldwide

➢ Active in South Korea since 1987 ➢ Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, German experience about division and unification, rural development, and a focus on the inner-Korean border area ➢ First pilot projects in North Korea in 2003 ➢ Today: International transboundary cooperation and reintegration of North Korea in the field of environment Hanns Seidel Foundation in Korea

➢ Environment cooperation projects with North Korea – HSF since 2009 • Since 2009: Cooperation with different partners in Pyongyang and Rason SEZ • 2014 – 2018: EU-funded project: “Improvement of rural living conditions through healthy forests - Establishment of a Training Centre for Sustainable Forestry”, ongoing forestry cooperation through HSF funds • 2015 – ongoing „The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in DPRK“ Hanns Seidel Foundation in Korea International Cooperation in the Field of the Environment, Forestry and Sustainable Development

Example: Flood in North Korea Sonbong, August 2015 ▪ 250mm rain over the weekend (155mm in 3 hours) ▪ 40 “ causualities“ reported ▪ 11.000 people “affected“ Source: Reuthers, 26th of August 2015, „Flooding in North Korea kills 40, strands thousands” HSF in the DPRK – Reforestation The case of Rason

HSF in the DPRK – Reforestation The case of Rason

HSF in the DPRK – Reforestation The case of Rason

HSF in the DPRK – Reforestation The case of Rason

Deforestation continues… Data source: World Bank World Development Indicators. Graph created by Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein. Source:http://www.nkeconwatch.com/category/forestry/

HSF and The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea

Cooperation from 2015 - 2018

National Workshops in the DPRK o 4 National Workshops in 2016, 2017 and 2018 ▪ Topics − National Wetland Inventory − International Environment Cooperation and frameworks (e.g. Ramsar, EAAFP, GCF, etc.) − Conservation of the Yellow Sea − Ecosystem Services − Management of Ramsar Sites

o 2 Local Workshops in 2016 and 2017 ▪ Location − Kumgangsan area in September 2016 and March 2017 ▪ Topics − Criteria for the selection of Ramsar Sites − Strategies to update the inventory of wetlands − Designation of Kumgangsan area as a Ramsar Protected Area – Criteria fulfilled! Local Workshops in the DPRK

On the Way from Wonsan to Kosong

o Discussions • Plans • Kumgangsan area to be designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance • Data • Minimum of 1 550 Pelagic Cormorants at Haekumgang (6% of this species’ total population) • Would fulfill Ramsar Criteria • Potential for transboundary Protected Area? Kumgangsan Area – Designation as a Ramsar Site?

The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - The Objectives Since 2015 This Project aims to support the accession of the DPRK to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands build the knowledge and skills of decision makers, site managers and relevant persons support the development of a National Wetland Action Plan for the DPRK identify the priority wetlands in the DPRK and carry out projects at two of these sites update the inventory of wetlands in the DPRK increase the awareness at all levels about the importance of the wetlands

▪ Activities 2016 March Training on Red List with IUCN in Beijing April Biodiversity Survey in Rason June Biodiversity Survey in Rason August Workshop on White-naped Crane Conservation in Mongolia August Exhibition on the EAAFP at the Rason Trade Fair Sept INTECOL Conference on Wetlands in Changshu and training at Chongming Dongtan Nov Workshop on transboundary nature conservation with UNESCAP in Beijing The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - Activities

▪ Activities 2017 January EAAFP MOP in Singapore April Biodiversity Survey in Rason August Exhibition on the EAAFP at the Rason Trade Fair September Study tour and workshop in Hong Kong, Mai Po, with WWF December Study tour and workshop in Cambodia with IUCN December Yellow Sea workshop in Yancheng The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - Activities

▪ Activities 2018 February Ramsar Regional Pre-COP in Chilaw, Sri Lanka March Baer´s Pochard Meeting in Hengshui March Biodiversity Survey in Rason June Biodiversity Survey in Rason The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - Activities

▪ National Wetlands Inventory – underway, publication planned for 2018: Enhanced skills and knowledge, the DPRK is now conducting an update on National Wetlands Inventory with modern methodology based on scientific standards. ▪ Awareness Raising: Awareness-raising activities (e.g. translation of Ramsar Convention and handbooks, celebration of International Environment Days, Rason Trade Exhibition) support a better understanding for healthy ecosystems among officials, students, media and actors on the local level. ▪ Enhanced Networks: Regular participation of representatives of the DPRK in international meetings, conferences, and workshops, as well as representatives from more than 10 international organizations paying visits to enhanced the international network of stakeholders in the DPRK The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - Outcome

▪ Reintegration into International Environment Networks: MoLEP became a member to IUCN, DPRK acceded the Ramsar Convention and the EAAFP, leading to international cooperation naturally ▪ Capacity Building: Trainings abroad and in the DPRK supported the environmental sector in the DPRK and lead to an improvement of skills and knowledge. ▪ Ramsar Sites and EAAFP Network Sites Commitment by DPRK to sustainable management and conservation of Mundok Ramsar Site, Rason Ramsar Site, and Kumya EAAFP Network Site – potential for international cooperation The Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands in the DPR Korea - Outcome

Example of International Cooperation – Capacity Building in Mongolia with WSCC • 8 countries involved (i.e. Mongolia, China, RO Korea, DPR Korea, Russia) • Platform for dialogue in on conservation in East Asia • Exchange knowledge and information about biodiversity in East Asia during workshop • Expand cooperation in East Asia

• Study tour at Mai Po, WWF Hong Kong and international workshop (Sept 2017) • Discussion about environment conservation in North Korea between 14 international organizations, including from South Korea • Introduction of environment priorities by MoLEP (with a focus on wetlands) • International and (inter-)Korean Exchange • Environment as a channel for dialogue in Northeast Asia Example of International Cooperation – Study Tour with WWF Hong Kong

• International experts, domestic participants • World Migratory Bird Day, May 2018 • Celebrating Accession to Ramsar Convention and EAAFP • Introduction of the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services • Field Visit to Mundok Ramsar Site, discussions with local stakeholders Example of International Cooperation – National Workshop on Wetlands

• Meeting of a working group on Yellow / West Sea Intertidal Conservation 07-2018 • Participants from DPR Korea, RO Korea, PR China, and international organizations (e.g. EAAFP) • Organized by IUCN and Ramsar RC – EA + Training for wetland managers Example of International Cooperation – Yellow/West Sea Working Group and Training

Example of International Cooperation – Awareness Raising Materials

❑ What is possible? HSF and experiences from capacity building - The situation Study tours abroad Student programmes Workshops in DPRK Training programmes abroad

The Way Ahead A National Wetland Strategy for DPRK? 1. Global/Regional level Participation in the YS/West sea working group, participation in Ramsar meetings, participation in World Heritage related training and meetings 2. National level Develop a National wetlands law, review existing legislation and policies, creation and facilitation of a wetlands national committee, finalization and publication of a National wetlands inventory, develop and implement a CEPA national strategy (including celebration of National days, media and communication strategies) 3. Site level: Mundok Support to RIS drafting, creation of site management committee, baselines biodiversity and socio-economics conduct research and studies, development of a management plan, develop monitoring programmes, develop education programmes and facilities, trainings at site level 4. Site level: Rason Support to RIS drafting , creation of site management committee, baselines biodiversity and socio-economics conduct research and studies, development of a management plan, develop monitoring programmes, develop education programmes and facilities, trainings at site level, TB exchange and cooperation with China, Russia, eco-tourism strategy and implementation