China-US-Europe Dialogue in Chongqing Pledges Deeper Cooperation on Biodiversity and Volunteering

Chongqing - On April 11, 2026, the Land-Sea·China-US-Europe Non-Profit Organization Partners Roundtable Dialogue was held in Chongqing. Representatives from government agencies, international organizations including the Global Volunteering Forum (GVF), the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, as well as public welfare institutions, universities, and volunteer services from China, the United States, Europe and beyond, gathered together to engage in in-depth discussions and practical exchanges on topics such as ecological protection, international volunteerism, and youth development. The event also featured with the "China-US-Europe Public Welfare Water Source Convergence Ceremony," marking a new phase in trilateral public welfare cooperation.

“Let the flower of cross-border friendship always blossom”

In her opening address, Zhang Qiong, Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, called on participants to become ambassadors of people-to-people friendship. “Let us jointly contribute our wisdom and strength to the development of global philanthropic causes and global sustainable development,” she said. “Take the warmth, kindness and sincere friendship of the people of Chongqing back to your own countries and regions, so that our cross-border flower of friendship and cooperation will always blossom and flourish.”

AI bird monitoring draws international praise

Though the formal dialogue took place on April 11, international delegates had spent the previous two days on a city observation tour visiting ecological sites in Liangping, Dazu, and Nan’an Districts. Their experiences informed the day’s discussions.

Jeff Kew, Project Development Manager at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK), highlighted Chongqing’s innovative use of artificial intelligence in tracking migratory birds. “The most impressive thing we’ve seen is the use of the AI bird monitoring with all of the cameras and all of the sound recording to record accurately the movements of birds without the need for many observers,” he said. “It’s brilliant that the city is accelerating its position on the migratory route of these birds. I understand more than 10,000 raptors can be seen in a single day, which makes it one of the most important places in the world for raptor migration.”

Liz Hutchins, Advisor to the Management Authority of Benua Briceno National Park, praised the city’s evidence-led conservation approach. “What’s really impressed me here is the use of evidence and science, bringing together a lot of different information in a way that is accessible to different interests,” she said. She also noted the strong focus on youth engagement, calling for youth exchange programmes between the UK and China. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity and potential for exchanges of young people between our countries to understand the situation and learn from real-life tangible experiences.”

Roundtable and participatory workshops shape future action

Two roundtable discussions followed the morning keynote session. The first, moderated by Chen Can of Chongqing Luhai Foundation, brought together Matthew Dodder (SCVBA, US), Jeff Kew (RSPB, UK), Tina Susan Redshaw (WWT, UK), and a representative from the Chongqing Society of Environmental Sciences to discuss urban biodiversity and climate adaptation. The second roundtable, moderated by Professor Zhou Linbo of Southwest University, focused on international volunteering in cultural heritage protection and rural revitalisation, with speakers from GVF, Amity Foundation, Chongqing Youth Volunteer Foundation, and Dalian Qingyi Future Social Work Service Centre.

In the afternoon, participants split into two parallel workshops. One, titled “Global Action for Ecological Protection – Mutual Learning of Philanthropy Practices between China, the US and Europe,” explored regional biodiversity strategies, community climate resilience, and low-carbon advocacy. The other, “Co-creating a Sustainable Future – International Volunteering and Youth Development,” examined pathways for engaging young people in cross-border volunteering. Both workshops concluded with participatory working sessions to identify concrete steps for strengthening international cooperation.

The event builds on two days of field visits (April 8-10) that also took delegates to the Chongqing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, mountain trails, and wetland sites. Organisers said the initiative not only raises Chongqing’s global profile as a hub for sustainable development but also fosters lasting partnerships between Chinese, American, and European civil society – presenting a “trusted, admirable, and lovable” image of China to the world.

(Shi Linqiao, as an intern, also contributed to this article.)