Wadden Sea presented at Korean Tidal Flats International Symposium
Upon invitation, two representatives from the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation have recently participated in an international symposium held in Yeosu, Korea, celebrating the extension of the Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage Site. Held from 15 to 16 September 2026 with around 200 participants, including government officials, site managers, NGOs, and other stakeholders, the symposium focussed on conservation, management and sustainable use in the World Heritage Site.
Sascha Klöpper, Executive Secretary to the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation and Head of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, gave insight into the management of the transboundary Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and discussed its challenges. Claus von Hoerschelmann, Deputy Director of the Multimar Wattforum visitor centre in Tönning, presented education and awareness-raising strategies and practices in the Wadden Sea.
Klöpper and von Hoerschelmann further took the opportunity to have an in-person exchange with the Korean partners of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Wadden Sea countries and Korea. Signed in 2009 and renewed in 2023, the MOU aims to strengthen joint efforts in conserving natural heritage and creating strong networks for scientific exchange, capacity building, and practical conservation. An estimated 250 experts and more than 2,700 participants have been involved in exchanges over the years.
Klöpper: “The Yellow Sea and the Wadden Sea face many of the same challenges. By sharing knowledge and experience, we strengthen our ability to respond to pressures such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and increasing demands on coastal areas. Together, we also bring a stronger voice to the international stage, demonstrating the value of cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.”
Left: Excursion to local mudflat (Photo by Kim Young-nam/ Ulsan KFEM). Right: Claus von Hoerschelmann and Sascha Klöpper (5 and 6 from left) at the conference (Photo by Jeon Min-gyu).