China’s Blue Bay Restoration Initiative has been named a 2026 United Nations World Restoration Flagship, earning international recognition for its efforts to restore marine ecosystems and protect coastal environments according to China Daily.
The announcement was made on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.
The recognition highlights China's progress in marine conservation, particularly its efforts to rehabilitate coastal wetlands, restore shorelines and improve the health of marine ecosystems.
China Becomes First Country With Two Flagships
The Blue Bay Initiative is the second nationwide Chinese programme to receive the prestigious recognition.
The first was the Shan-Shui Initiative, which was among the projects recognised in 2022.
With the latest award, China becomes the first country to have two nationwide restoration programmes named UN World Restoration Flagships.
The recognition is jointly established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
It celebrates large-scale restoration projects considered exemplary and capable of making a significant contribution to environmental protection worldwide.
Other initiatives from Colombia, Ethiopia, Italy and the United States were also recognised in the 2026 selection.
Billions Invested in Marine Restoration
China's Blue Bay programme builds on previous coastal restoration efforts, including the rehabilitation of Yundang Lake in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
According to information presented during the award ceremony, China's central government allocated 36.63 billion yuan (approximately KSh660 billion) to coastal provinces between 2016 and 2025.
The funding supported 194 major marine ecological restoration projects.
The projects have delivered several environmental improvements, including:
- Restoration of more than 150,000 hectares of coastal wetlands.
- Rehabilitation of more than 2,000 kilometres of coastline.
- Management of Spartina alterniflora, an invasive cordgrass species.
- Expansion and protection of important marine habitats.
China's mangrove coverage has also increased to 31,700 hectares, making it one of the few countries where mangrove areas continue to expand.
UN Highlights Importance of Coastal Ecosystems
Speaking during the award ceremony, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Raimund Jehle highlighted the importance of protecting coastal environments.
He noted that healthy coastal ecosystems support fisheries, protect communities and improve resilience to climate change.
Jehle also praised the Blue Bay Initiative for combining environmental restoration, coordinated governance and public investment.
Meanwhile, Wang Lei, director-general of China's Department of Territorial Space Ecological Restoration, described the recognition as both an honour and a responsibility.
He said China would continue supporting the restoration of mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds and coastal salt marshes.
The country also expressed its willingness to share its experience with other nations and strengthen international cooperation in marine conservation.
