The first council meeting and inauguration ceremony of the International Mangrove Center was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on July 26. The center officially launched its secretariat in Shenzhen, housed in a facility built by CSCEC, marking its transition from a global initiative to a fully operational international organization.

Mangroves are globally important coastal wetland ecosystems, playing an irreplaceable role in protecting shorelines, preserving biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and supporting sustainable development in coastal areas.

The center aims to promote global cooperation on mangrove conservation, restoration and sustainable use, actively participate in global ecological governance, and safeguard the world's mangrove resources.

It has compiled reports on the state of global mangrove resources and key challenges, and conducted research on blue carbon policies, market mechanisms, ecological governance, community engagement, and investment and financing.

The center has also organized six international seminars on mangrove conservation and restoration, bringing together 137 representatives from 30 countries and helping advance mangrove protection and sustainable use worldwide.