1st Announcement

17 World Lake
Conference
thHarmonious Coexistence of Humans and Lakes ‐Toward Sustainable Ecosystem Services‐October,15-19,2018
Ibaraki-Japan
Tsukuba International Congress Center【Host Organizations】 Ibaraki Prefectural Government,
The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation（ILEC）【Co-Hosts】

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism（MLIT）,
Ministry of Environment（MOE）,Tsuchiura City, Tsukuba City, Hokota City, Kasumigaura City,
Ibaraki Town, Mito City, Council to Improve the Water Quality of Lake Kasumigaura,
The Association of Lake Hinuma, Registered Ramsar Site

【Language】

English/Japanese【Participation fee】TBD（Details will be posted on the 2nd announcement）

17th World Lake Conference (Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki, 2018) Executive Committee

Introduction
Many of the world’s lakes are facing serious problems that threaten the sustainability of their life-supporting ecosystem services,
including increasing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and the negative effects of climate change.
Recognizing these serious problems, the Convention on Biological Diversity was concluded in 1992 as an internationalframework for the comprehensive conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources. At the Tenth Meetingof the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10) held in Japan in 2010, a new strategic plan of
the Convention was adopted, representing a new global direction for biodiversity since 2011.
A large-scale comprehensive evaluation on ecosystems, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment advocated by the United Nations
also was implemented from 2001 to 2005. The results of this global assessment suggested ecosystem changes affect human healthand well-being. In addition, "consideration of the value of ecosystem services" and "recovery of damaged ecosystem" were also
proposed as long-term goals. Relating these goals to the lake environment also raised awareness of "sustainable management ofwater and sanitation" and "terrestrial ecosystem, forest management, coping with desertification, conservation and recovery ofbiodiversity" as key issue to be addressed on a global scale.
In consideration of these realities and their implications for human and ecosystem well-being, it was decided to host the 17th
World Lake Conference with the theme of "Harmonious Coexistence of Humans and Lakes- Toward Sustainable

Ecosystem Services -".

17th World Lake Conference Aim
Water forms the basis of all life, and a variety of ecosystems that include humans have benefited greatly from it. Lakes are aninvaluable resource for agriculture and fisheries, for industry, and for our culture, and the conservation of lake environments is of theupmost importance.
The 6th World Lake Conference, held in Ibaraki in 1995, adopted the theme “Harmonizing human life with lakes - toward thesustainable use of lakes and reservoirs”. Lake use, environmental conservation, the securement and management of freshwater
resources, and the effects of eutrophication and chemical substances were discussed, and opinions exchanged with the aim of striving
for harmony between humans and lakes. Furthermore, as a result of placing a focus on the undertaking of aquatic environment
conservation activities and environmental education, a large number of river basin residents and citizens’ organizations participatedin the conference, triggering an increase in citizen activities. Since the conference, a partnership between citizens, researchers,
businesses, and government bodies has formed the basis of ongoing efforts to solve issues surrounding aquatic environments.
In recent years, topics related to ecosystems have been discussed at the World Lake Conferences. In 1992, The Convention on
Biological Diversity was adopted based on the fact that biodiversity supports human existence and brings a variety of benefits tohumanity, and plants and animals have no national borders so it is important that issues surrounding ecosystems are tackled globally.
Countries around the world are mutually cooperating in research and information exchange.
Meanwhile, the Basic Law for Water Circulation came into force in Japan in July 2014 with the aim of comprehensively andintegrally promoting policies concerning the water cycle in order to reassert that water is a resource that all humanity shares, to allow
water to circulate healthily, and so that humanity can continue to enjoy the blessings that it brings. The law is based on fundamental
concepts including the importance of the water cycle and integrated lake basin management, and establishes the respective
responsibilities of local public organizations, businesses, and citizens, and the coordination and cooperation that should occur among
them.
Humans have enjoyed the blessing of ecosystem services such as food and water supplied by ecosystems built on biodiversity.
However, development activities and climate change have caused a drastic loss in biodiversity. At the 17th World Lake Conference,
we will discuss how ecosystems can be maintained through greater conservation efforts – namely, the development of a society
where humans and lakes can support each other and coexist in harmony. Furthermore, information sharing and opinion

exchange around what measures need to be taken in order for humans to continue to sustainably enjoy ecosystemservices will be held among people involved with lakes, including residents, those engaged in agriculture, forestry,
and fisheries, businesses, researchers, and government agencies.
This conference is hoped to be a trigger for a variety of people to strengthen coordination with each other based on their individual
responsibilities, bringing about new progress in the solving of lake-related issues.

1Ibaraki Prefecture and the World Lake Conference
In 1995, the 6th World Lake Conference – Kasumigaura ’95- was held in Ibaraki Prefecture’s Tsukuba City and Tsuchiura City. It
has been 23 years since the conference was held in the prefecture, and the 17th conference will be Ibaraki’s second time to be a hostprefecture.
At the 6th World Lake Conference, we gained the opportunity to learn about the latest research results in the world to solve
various problems such as eutrophication of lakes. It also triggered the promotion of citizen to participate in water conservation
activities.
Through discussions at this conference, the current situation and challenges of lakes in the world were clarified. We also realized
the importance of people collaboratingon the conservation of lake environment
and the necessity of international
cooperation. On the final day, we sent out
the "Kasumigaura Declaration," a guiding
principle for the 21st century, to the world.
During the International Lake
Environment Policy Forum, the governorof Ibaraki Prefecture proposed theconservation of water environment ofrivers and lakes in the prefecture startingwith Lake Kasumigaura, and establishedthe “Ibaraki Kasumigaura Environmental
Science Center (IKESC)” in 2005.
IKESC aims to effectively perform its
Ibaraki Kasumigaura Environmental Science Center (IKESC)
four functions - research and technicaldevelopment, environmental education, cooperation with and support for citizen’s activities, and information exchange. Thesefunctions performed through partnership with citizens, researchers, businesses, and governments bodies.
In addition, in 2007, Ibaraki Prefecture fully revised the "Ordinance on the Prevention of Eutrophication of Lake Kasumigaura",
which aims wastewater regulations containing nitrogen and phosphorus of factories and workplace. And Ibaraki Prefecture has
enacted the "Lake Kasumigaura Water Quality Conservation Ordinance" which aims at all people in the basin of Lake Kasumigaura
to work towards the conservation of lake water quality in all aspects of living and production.
Furthermore, in 2008, we introduced the forest and lake environmental tax, which is a voluntary tax revenue source for thepurification of water, for the first time nationwide. Utilizing taxes, we are working on reducing pollutant loads such as domestic
wastewater, measures against runoff from agricultural land, promoting water quality conservation activities by residents,conservation of waterside environment, and so on.
We hope to contribute to solving the problems surrounding the water environment around the world by disseminating the results
after the 6th conference to the world. The organizers are looking forward to your visit.

About World lake Conference

About ILEC

The history of the World Lake Conference (WLC) dates back to the Shiga Conference
on Conservation and Management of World Lake Environment of 1984, known as
LECS'84, which was held on the shore of Lake Biwa, Japan.
The aim of the LECS' 84, which was to contribute to promoting scientific approaches
in the world lake basin management, has been inherited to the World Lake Conferences
held in various parts of the world.
Today, the Conference is globally recognized as a place for multi-sectoral participants(i.e., academia, government, citizens, NGOs and enterprises) to exchange their views andexperiences on the sustainable management of lakes and their basins.
As a summary and results, we are disseminating the declarations of conservation oflakes to the world from the venue.
The conference is held jointly by the International Lake Environment Committee(ILEC) and organizations of host countries and is held every two years. It has been heldin Japan, the United States, Hungary, China, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, Kenya, India, andIndonesia.

The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) isa non-governmental organization based in Japan. Since its foundation in1986, ILEC has been promoting rational and sound management of world
lakes and their catchment areas, consistent with sustainable development
policies. It has an advisory body known as the Scientific Committee,
composed of internationally-recognized scientists and experts on lake andreservoir assessment, management and conservation.

Internationl Lake Environment Committee Foundation(ILEC)
1091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu, Shiga
525-0001 Japan
Tel:+81-77-568-4567/Fax:+81-77-568-4568
Website:www.ilec.or.jp
Email:infoilec@ilec.or.jp

2

Conference Schedule (Draft)
DateMorning

Afternoon(Sunday)(Monday)

Opening Ceremony

October 19th(Friday)

Policy Forum

Award Ceremony
Lakes Session

Lakes Session

Technical Sessions

Technical Sessions−Reception

WorkshopExcursionWorkshop(Wednesday)(Thursday)

Keynote Speech

Ibaraki Kasumigaura Prize

October 17th

October 18th

Welcome Party
Registration

October 16th
(Tuesday)Full Day

Student Conference

October 14th

October 15th

Evening

Exhibition

Satellite Session
Kasumigaura Session

Kasumigaura Session

Technical Sessions

Technical Sessions

Conference Summary

Closing Ceremony

October 20th
(Saturday)

Optional Tour

Participant
Get-Together−−※The schedule of the conference may change from time to time.

Kasumigaura Session
Stakeholders in the Kasumigaura region discuss specific efforts
regarding sustainable ecosystem services.

Lakes Session
Citizens, administrators, researchers, etc., of lake regions inJapan and other countries discuss and share their specific andcommon problems, achievements and challenges in various aspectsof lake basin management.

Satellite Session
Forums and environmental events in the vicinity of main venue. (e.g., the Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Hinuma regions )3−Venue
Main Venue:Tsukuba International Congress Center
Tsukuba International Congress Center was built with the aim of strengthening
research exchange capabilities in Tsukuba and revitalizing the regional economy
through holding conventions. In 2016, G7 Science and Technology Ministers’Meeting was held in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture.
It is 45 minutes by the high speed train "Tsukuba Express (TX)" from Tokyo(Akihabara), and about 1 hour by direct bus from Narita International Airport andIbaraki Airport.

Satellite Venues
We hold environmental related events (Environment
Festival, symposiums etc.) in cooperation with civic
groups and other organizations in five cities and towns
neighboring Lake Kasumigaura, Lake Hinuma andLake Senba (Tsuchiura city, Kasumigaura city, Hokota
City, Ibaraki Town and Mito City).
Events are held before the plenary session andthe results of activities at satellite venues will beannounced at the Kasumigaura session and lakes
session at the main venue Tsukuba International
Congress Center.

Lake senba

Lake Senba is located in the middle of Mito City, thecapital of Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a freshwater lake thatspreads out under Kairakuen, one of the Three Great
Gardens of Japan.
From the viewpoint of biodiversity, due to its natural andrich environment, Lake Senba has been recognized by theMinistry of the Environment as an important high wetland.

Mito city

LakeHinuma

Ibarakitown
Hokota city
Tsukuba city
Tsuchiura Kasumigaura
citycity

Tsukuba InternationalCongress Center

Lake Hinuma is located in thecentral part of Ibaraki Prefecture
and is a nationally rare brackishlake. Many organisms live in thebasin, including more than 200
confirmed species of wild bird.
In May 2015, it was registeredin the Ramsar Convention as aninternationally important wetland.

Lake Kasumigaura
Lake Kasumigaura is the second largest lake
in Japan with a lake area of about 220㎢.
La ke Kasu m igau ra plays an i mpor t antrole in securing stable water resources in themet ropolitan area including water supply
sources. Lake Kasumigaura is a valuable asset
that has brought diversified blessings to people,
such as nurturing rich fishery resources andconstituting a good landscape as part of theSuigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.

4

Overview and Themes of Breakout Sessions (TBD)
Technical Sessions
During Technical sessions we will conduct discussion pertaining to the current status, sustainability, and issues surrounding lakeecosystem services.

Technical Session 1

Biodiversity and Biological Resources

This session focuses on evaluation and conservation issues in regards to biodiversity and ecosystem services in lake, wetland,river and riparian areas.
KEYWORDS biodiversity assessment, biodiversity conservation, endemic species, threatened species,
alien species, fisheries

Technical Session 2Preservation of Freshwater Resources

This session focuses on the sustainable utilization of freshwater resources, delving into discussion of water quantity related
matters such as the regulation functions of river flow and water balance in watershed; water quality related matters such aspollution and sediment load from basin; pollution by chemical compounds; eutrophication; and lake management.
KEYWORDS water use and development, groundwater vs. surfacewater,pollution, sediment load, chemical pollution (pesticides, heavy metals), eutrophication issues

Technical Session 3

Water Quality and Ecosystem Functions in Lake Environments

This session discusses lake ecosystems’ functions such as water quality purification capacity, primary production, organic
matter degradation, sediment oxygen consumption, sediment release, and other matters pertaining to water quality in lake
environments.
KEYWORDS lake ecosystems functions, water quality purification capacity, primary production,organic matter degradation, sediment release, nitrification and denitrification,bottom dissolved oxygen, transparency, eutrophication, water blooming, climate change.

Technical Session 4

Lakeside History and Culture

This session will focus on the wide variety of roles lakes play in facilitating things such as history, culture, lifestyles,tourism, and recreation.
KEYWORDS riparian areas, recreation, tradition, culture, community, community morale, landscape,tourism, nature hospitality, environment leaning, SATOYAMA, Ramsar Convention

5Technical Session 5

Regional Activities and Matter Cycles

This session discusses the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle and the dynamics of chemical substances with a focus on how
human activity impacts the material cycle in lake and basin areas.
KEYWORDS nitrogen and phosphorus cycle, chemical substances, forest preservation， SATOYAMA conservation

Technical Session 6

Monitoring Based on Scientific Knowledge

This session focuses on lake and river water quality and ecosystem monitoring techniques, discussing new knowledge-based
techniques and the supporting advanced technologies and analytical practices utilized.
KEYWORDS Water quality instruments, monitoring technologies for lakes or rivers,monitoring technologies for ecosystems, data analysis technologies

Technical Session 7

Countermeasures and Technologies to Secure
Sustainable Ecosystem Services

This session discusses various countermeasures to harness ecosystem services sustainably for the future including effluent
regulation, domestic wastewater control, control of waste from agriculture and livestock, runoff quality control, technologies
for water purification and reclamation, in-lake restoranto technology and constructed wetlands.
KEYWORDS effluent regulation, domestic wastewater control, appropriate use of fertilizers,
livestock waste control, runoff quality control, water purification and reclamation,
sediment remediation and dredging, in-lake restoration technology,
remediation technology of water environment, management based on environmental capacity

Technical Session 8

Citizens’ Activities and Environmental Education

This session focuses on citizen activity and environmental education, exploring region-based practices to leave better lakes
and basins for future generations.
KEYWORDS civil activity, public participation, environmental learning, environmental education, collaboration,
SATOYAMA conservation, access to waterside, community revitalization, town planning

Technical Session 9Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM)

This session will discuss various ways for the basin stakeholders to collectively pursue Integrated Lake Basin Management(ILBM) through incremental, sustained and long-term improvement of basin governance, prospectively resulting in successfulconservation and improvement of basin ecosystem services.
KEYWORDS lake basin features vs. lake basin management, Integrated Lake Basin Management(ILBM),
Integrated Lentic and Lotic Basin Management (ILLBM), lake basin governance(institutions, policies and programs, participation, technology,knowledge and information,
funding and financing) , hardware-software-heartware,Relationship between ILBM and IWRM /IRBM, Ecosystem Service Shared Value Assessment (ESSVA)

6

Introduction of Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture, home to Mt. Tsukuba and Laka Kasumigaura, is blessed with rich nature and a comfortable climate, a distinct
history and culture, and coastlines covering a total length of 190 kilometers.
Ibaraki prefecture is a region with an array of attractions. In addition to its wealth of cutting-edge science, technology, andsophisticated manufacturing industries, Ibaraki Prefecture is renowned for its agriculture—boasting the second largest domestic
agricultural output, and well-maintained land, sea and air wide-area transport networks.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Fukuroda Falls

Hitachi Seaside Park

Lake Hinuma

Ibaraki
AirportTsukuba Science City

Kairakuen

Tsukuba International
Congress Center

Ushiku Daibutsu（Buddha）

Ueno
Akihabara

KashimajinguShrine
KashimajinguShrine
Ichinotorii

Narita International AirportTokyoShinagawa

Ushiku Daibutsu（Tallest Buddha）

Kashima j ingu-Shrine
Ichinotorii

Future Information
The 2nd announcement will be issued around January 2018.
The content of the 2nd announcement will consist of:Paper submission guidelines and submission deadlines, instructions for conference registration,
Exhibition registration, Publicly offered workshops, etc.
【Contact Information】

The 17th World Lake Conference (Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki, 2018) Executive Committee Secretariat(Environmental Management Division, Ibaraki Prefecture)
978-6 Kasahara-cho, Mito city, Ibaraki 〒310 - 8555 Japan
TEL：+81-29-301-2995／FAX：+81-29-301-2969
Email：wlc17@pref.ibaraki.lg.jp
website：http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/seikatsukankyo/kantai/kosyou/wlc/index.html

Ibaraki WLC17

SearchIssued June, 2017