Efforts are on the save the adorable giant pandas, which are on the verge of extinction.
In view of that, South Korea on Thursday hosted the Global Art Exhibition of Giant Panda. The event was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The opening ceremony was attended by China’s ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Qiu Guohong, as well as Artemy Izmestiev, officer-in-charge of UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, among other representatives from governments of both countries.
The exhibition highlights the artwork about pandas and features artists from around the world. The exhibition will be open in Korea until April 28, after which it will head to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Beijing.
This event is a follow-up to China and the Republic in Korea’s Year of Tourism, as part of which, in March this year, a pair of giant pandas were loaned by China to Korea for 15 years and now live at the Samsung Everland Resort.
Along with the art exhibition, the event also kicked off UNDP’s Global Panda Campaign in Korea, designed to raise public awareness of the SDGs.
Become a ‘Panda Envoy’
In January, UNDP designated two panda twin cubs to become the first-ever official animal ambassadors for the sustainable development goals project.
The campaign includes over 21 zoos from 13 countries that will help spread the message of the SDGs and encourages worldwide participants to submit a video about which SDG is most important to them. The winner will be given a chance to go to Chengdu and be a ‘Panda Envoy’. So far, over 900 people around the world have submitted their entries.
The panda has long been seen as an ambassador for the environment, and stands as an excellent representative for many of the new SDGs, especially those on climate action and sustainable development,” said Izmestiev.
The art exhibition opening was co-organized by the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), Sichuan Wildlife Conservation Association, Sichuan Foundation for Giant Panda Conservation, and The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) of Chengdu.