Southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City will participate in a biodiversity program run by the German-headquartered ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability as part of efforts to protect the local ecosystem and enhance sustainable development.
“Signing onto the Local Action for Biodiversity Pioneer Project (LAB) gives us a great opportunity to take part in international activities and exchange ideas with other cities around the world,” Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Liu Shyh-fang said June 5.
Liu made the remarks while inking a memorandum of understanding with ICLEI on the last day of the World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change: Resilient Cities 2011 in Bonn, Germany.
“This is indeed an auspicious day for Kaohsiung City to join the project,” ICLEI Global Biodiversity Coordinator Kobie Brand said, referring to U.N. World Environment Day, which falls June 5. “We are looking forward to working with this leading Asian city.”
Liu took the opportunity to introduce Kaohsiung’s geography and ecosystem to the world, while explaining government low-carbon construction initiatives. These include two metropolitan parks built under the principle of ecological engineering.
In sharing Kaohsiung’s experiences, the deputy mayor cited a successful ecological restoration project in the city’s Dashu District. Following years of efforts by local public and private sector participants, the program has delivered a top-notch nature reserve filled with plants, birds, dragonflies and ladybugs.
LAB commenced in 1996 with a select group of local and regional authorities from around the world. Representing over 54 million citizens, these local authorities are currently international leaders in managing and conserving biodiversity at the local level.
According to the ICLEI, the program is an “accessible and enabling platform for committed, leading local governments from around the world.”
“This is achieved by profiling and promoting the importance of urban biodiversity and the role of local governments in its management, as well as by sharing the experiences, successes and challenges of urban biodiversity management in the participating cities and local authorities.”
In addition, LAB offers technical support, networking opportunities and advocacy services. It also focuses on developing a local government network for biodiversity action that promotes a better understanding of relevant issues and the implementation of appropriate measures.
Other LAB participants include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, Cape Town, Liverpool, Montreal, Mexico City, Nagoya, Seoul and Sao Paulo.
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw