On 8 December, a delegation from the Secretariat of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), led by Chief Executive Jennifer George, visited Beijing Forestry University (BFU). University Chairperson, Mr. Wang Tao, and President, Prof. Li Zhaohu, attended the related events. Representatives from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, and the Secretariat of the Flyway University Alliance (FUA) were also present.

Wang Tao extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. He noted that over the years BFU and the EAAFP Secretariat have carried out a series of cooperation initiatives, fostering a strong friendship and laying a solid foundation for collaboration. He expressed the hope that this visit would serve as an opportunity for both sides to formulate a more in-depth and practical cooperation agenda, continuously deepening and expanding collaboration in such areas as youth training, the development of international cooperation platforms, and the application of scientific research outcomes. By doing so, he said, the two sides can further broaden and deepen their partnership, actively engage in global ecological governance, and jointly contribute to global ecological conservation.

At the symposium, President Li Zhaohu pointed out that, as the host institution of the EAAFP Science Unit, BFU has worked with EAAFP to establish the Flyway University Alliance (FUA) and the Center for East Asian–Australasian Flyway Studies (CEAAF), achieving substantial results in practice. Under BFU’s development framework of “one university, two campuses and one ecological park”, he expressed the expectation that both sides will continue to strengthen the synergy between public education and professional education, and further expand pragmatic cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research and platform development, so as to jointly build an open and collaborative global network for large-scale biodiversity conservation.

Jennifer George expressed her gratitude for BFU’s warm reception and its contributions to flyway conservation. As a visiting professor at BFU, she spoke highly of the progress made in building the EAAFP Science Unit, FUA and CEAAF, emphasizing that EAAFP attaches great importance to its close cooperation with Beijing Forestry University. She noted that EAAFP is ready to build on the Initiative for International Big Science Program on Flyways, and, in conjunction with the 2nd Flyway Science Symposium to be held in 2026 and the EAAFP Science Strategy currently under development, provide further support for youth training, scientific research, and exchanges and cooperation, thereby deepening transnational ecological conservation under the Partnership framework.

During the meeting, Lei Guangchun, Chair of the Flyway University Alliance (FUA), presented the development positioning, vision and objectives, and achievements of FUA, CEAAF and the Science Unit. He elaborated on the importance of biodiversity conservation and cooperation along the flyway for advancing BFU’s disciplinary development and enhancing its international influence, and outlined priority areas for future collaboration. The Deputy Dean of the School of Ecology and Nature Conservation introduced the School’s measures to support the development of CEAAF and FUA, and, in light of disciplinary development needs, put forward recommendations for deepening cooperation. The two sides reached broad consensus on issues such as channels and modalities for EAAFP’s support to FUA, CEAAF and the Science Unit, as well as the provision of adequate human, financial and material resources.

This visit marked an important step in deepening strategic collaboration between the two sides. It not only further consolidated the partnership between EAAFP and BFU, but also clarified future pathways for joint action to advance global flyway conservation. Building on the fact that FUA has been endorsed as a Programme of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) led by UNESCO, BFU will continue to leverage the disciplinary and platform advantages of CEAAF and the Science Unit, bringing China’s voice and BFU’s expertise to global ecological governance and providing strong support for the building of a community of life for humanity and nature.

Beijing Forestry University has long been committed to research and practice in the conservation of migratory bird flyways. Even before the establishment of EAAFP, BFU’s faculty and students had already played an important international role in its governance and operation, making sustained contributions of knowledge and effort. In mid-November this year, the 12th Meeting of Partners (MOP12) of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) concluded in Cebu, the Philippines. As the founding Chair of FUA, Director of CEAAF and Advisor to the Science Unit, Professor Lei Guangchun led a BFU delegation to the meeting, providing scientific advice and platform mechanisms on flyway governance and technical issues, and showcasing the achievements and future vision of FUA as well as BFU’s international commitment to large-scale global biodiversity conservation.