EU and China organize an expert workshop on river restoration in Beijing
On 6-7 February 2018, the European Union and China will organize an expert workshop on "river restoration" in Beijing. The event aims at reinforcing exchanges between China and the European Union, under the framework of the China- Europe Water Platform (CEWP) and the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation. It will be organized by the University of Evora (Portugal), the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower research and the Tongji University, with the collaboration of the Portuguese Embassy and the Delegation of the European Union to China.
In the context of sustained economic development and the pressing challenge of climate change, water management is an important issue for both China and the EU. Concerning water quality and river ecosystems in particular, both sides agree on the need to cooperate more closely, in order to be able to establish efficient and effective restoration standards for river ecosystems, and improve overall water quality. China is on the other hand showing a strong global leadership in the fields of environment and climate change, and has set ambitious goals at national level. There is thus an important potential for collaboration and shared learning, for improving water cooperation among China and the EU.
This expert workshop will draw attention on restoration projects and related issues such as the improvement of local water quality, and environment protection and restoration. It will also include interventions from different recognized academics and experts from the Tongjiuniversity of Shanghai, the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) and the University of Evora, Portugal. Additionally, seven organisations from Europe and China will participate in this workshop: the Portuguese Environmental Agency, the "Instituto Superior de Agronomia ISA" from Portugal, the International Office for Water from France, the Society for Ecological Rehabilitation of Beijing, the Suzhou Urban and Environment Research Institute, and the Water Science and Technology Institute as well asthe Normal University from Beijing.
The workshop, financed with the support of the Partnership Instrument of the European Union, will provide different opportunities for participants to exchange on know-how, management and innovative solutions available to address specific water challenges linked to restoration standards and water quality, drawing on best practices. The outcomes of these two days will guide further discussions on standards for river restoration works.
Background information: The China- Europe Water Platform (CEWP) was established in 2012 and aims at strengthening water cooperation between the EU and China. The EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation explicitly supports the EU-China Water Platform so as to "promote water policy dialogue, enhance joint scientific research and business cooperation with a view to addressing water challenges such as water quantity (water scarcity, drought, ground water, urban water systems, water and security nexus), water use efficiency (water recycling, industrial water use, water and food nexus, water and energy nexus), water quality (pollution reduction, river basin management), and water disasters." For additional information: http://cewp.eu/