Global Conservation Symposium for Dipterocarps 2025 was held at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) from November 27 to 29. Under the theme "Sustaining Dipterocarpaceae: setting priorities and taking action through regional networks", the event brought together over 140 participants from 12 countries to share recent progress, mutually identify priorities, and develop initial plans for regional action.
Dipterocarps are keystone tree species in Asia's tropical rainforest, playing a vital ecological role in maintaining biodiversity and regulating climate. However, their survival is threatened by habitat loss and illegal logging, making cross-border collaborative conservation urgent. This symposium laid the groundwork for coordinated regional actions, knowledge and technology sharing, and enhanced conservation capacity.
Prof. Xing Yaowu, director of XTBG, introduced the longstanding work in Dipterocarp collection, research, and conservation in the garden. He stressed the importance of transnational cooperation for the survival of this plant group.
Ms. Wen Xiangying from BGCI China called for leveraging XTBG as a hub and the Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps(GCCD) platform to transform symposium discussions into conservation actions, thereby strengthening the global protection network.
Prof. Chuck Cannon, scientific chair of GCCD, emphasized the meeting's value in defining regional conservation priorities and building consensus for action, expressing hope for a lasting regional conservation network.
The symposium featured ice-breaking sessions, keynote speeches, thematic discussions, and field visits. Keynote presentations included a systematic analysis of global Dipterocarp conservation challenges and priorities, and innovative approaches to building regional conservation communities. Experts shared cutting-edge research findings.
The participants discussed short-term priorities and near-term goals at local scales, long-term mission and regional-level planning for the GCCD, facilitating deep exchanges on national practices and identifying urgent conservation tasks. Early-career researchers also presented their work at the symposium.
The participants also made field visits to the Parashorea chinensis collection within XTBG and Parashorea chinensis tropical rainforest in Mengla.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for GCCD was signed by Prof. Xing Yaowu and Ms. Wen Xiangying.
The symposium was jointly organized by XTBG, Hainan National Park Research Institute, and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), with the cooperation and support of Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps(GCCD).
MoU signing ceremony for GCCD.
At the meeting.
Field visits.
Participants pose a group photo.
