South Korea to mark World Wetlands Day in Jeju

South Korea will hold its 2026 World Wetlands Day ceremony in Jeju, spotlighting the ecological value of tidal flats and other wetlands and the need to protect them. This year's event takes place in Seogwipo — home to the Ojori tidal flat, a habitat for endangered species including the black-faced spoonbill — and will explore sustainable management approaches that allow wetlands and local communities to coexist.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Wednesday that the ceremony will be held Thursday at the Jeju International Convention Center under the theme "Wetland Conservation: A Commitment to Protect Our Future."

World Wetlands Day is an international observance established in 1997 to commemorate the Ramsar Convention — a global environmental treaty for the conservation of wetlands and their resources — and to raise awareness of their importance. South Korea joined the Ramsar Convention in 1997 and has held a government-level ceremony every year since 2002.

The official World Wetlands Day falls on Feb. 2, the date the Ramsar Convention was signed. However, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat encourages each country to choose a suitable time of year, and South Korea — taking into account practices in the United States and other countries — has held its ceremony between April and August each year since 2002. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy co-host the event on an alternating basis; this year the oceans ministry is in charge.

Seogwipo was chosen as this year's venue in part because of the Ojori tidal flat, which was newly designated a wetland protection zone in late 2023 and supports a rich marine ecosystem that includes endangered species such as the black-faced spoonbill. Through the event, the government plans to share the conservation value of the tidal flat with the local community and explore sustainable management strategies.

Oceans Minister Hwang Jong-woo, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Wi Seong-gon, and representatives from related agencies and civic organizations are expected to attend. The ceremony will also include awards for individuals who have contributed to wetland conservation — one Presidential Commendation, one Prime Minister's Commendation and two ministerial commendations.

Performances are planned by singer Jang Pil-soon, known for songs celebrating Jeju's natural beauty, and the Jeju Ullim Musical Children's Choir. Side events will introduce the Korean tidal flats — a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site — and the Ojori wetland protection zone, display winning entries from a marine biology content competition, and screen a film about Jeju's intertidal zone.

The scope of South Korea's UNESCO-listed tidal flats has also recently expanded. Minister Hwang noted that the tidal flats of Yeosu, Goheung, Muan and Seosan were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List last month, and said he hoped the ceremony would give the public "a chance to feel the value of wetlands and the need to protect them, and to join in wetland conservation as part of everyday life."

adastra@heraldcorp.com