Mar 03, 2022
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Chairman, Mr.Tokura
Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr.Yoshimura
Mayor of Osaka City, Mr.Matsui
Minister of the Environment, Mr.Yamaguchi
And to the Secretariat, Headquarters for the Promotion of International Expositions, Cabinet
Secretariat
Request for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity on Yumeshima for theconstruction and development of the 2025 Japan International Expo site
In the environmental impact assessment procedures for the venue of the Japan
International Exposition, 2025 (hereafter referred to as Osaka-Kansai Expo), Osaka City has
stated that, "As a variety of bird species have been identified on Yumeshima, a roadmap should
be drawn up by the start of construction, including details and a schedule for the maintenanceof the habitat and growth environment of these birds, while listening to the opinions of experts
and others, in order to preserve and create a diverse environment, including wetlands,grasslands and sandy beaches. (dated 9 February 2022).
As an organisation involved in the conservation of nature and biodiversity in our country,
we strongly request the following for the maintenance of Yumeshima, a habitat for waterbirdssuch as the least tern, sandpipers and plovers, with the aim of conserving and restoring
biodiversity.
1. The land development project in Yumeshima was reviewed, and "Water World", a site
development plan for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, was designed to allow shorebirds such as
sandpipers and plovers to inhabit even after the expo.
Change the plan to form wetlands and tidal flats instead of building structures.
2. Develop a breeding ground for Little Terns on unused land in Yumeshima.
3. After the Expo, Yumeshima will continue to be used as a place for experiencing nature, suchas observing nature and wild birds. In terms of the conservation and use of important wetlandsin the Osaka Bay coastal area, aim for Ramsar site,together with Nanko Wild Bird Park.
4. In order to solve these problems concretely and realize them, it is necessary to establish an

open forum as soon as possible with various stakeholders such as related environmentalgroups and experts.
The Osaka-Kansai Expo aims to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, and highsustainability and conservation of the natural environment are essential for the construction
and operation of the venue. Although Yumeshima is an artificially created environment, it isa habitat for many wild animals, including endangered species. increase.
On the other hand, at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity to be held in Kunming, China in 2022, the goal of conserving andprotecting more than 30% of the world's land and sea areas by 2030 was set. A post-2020
framework, including a '30 by 30', is expected to be voted on. The conservation andrestoration of Yumeshima's natural environment, which we are requesting, will also contributeto this new international framework. In addition, positioning Yumeshima as an important baseof the remaining wetland ecosystem network in the coastal area of Osaka Bay, andconservation and restoration efforts aimed at registering wetlands under the Ramsar
Convention are important. It can be a legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo to be transmitted tothe world.
In light of these circumstances, I hope that the Osaka City/Osaka Prefecture and theExpo Association will positively consider the above requests, and that the Ministry of theEnvironment and the Cabinet Secretariat's Headquarters for the Promotion ofInternational Expositions will support them.
Nature Conservation Society of Japan Charman
Akira Kameyama
WWF Japan Charman
Takejiro Sueyoshi
Wild Bird Society of Japan
Koichi EndoCharman