On July 2, 2025, Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group (WG) plenary meeting for 2025 was held in the conference room at Noto Airport. A total of 27 participants joined, including local government representatives and scientific experts, both in-person and online. The United Nations University (UNU-IAS OUIK) supported the secretariat.
First, the implementation structure for this year was presented. Since the action plan is to be revised at the end of the next fiscal year, the previous implementation structure has been updated. The plenary meeting is to be held once a year, and they will meet as needed to discuss the specifics of planning and implementing study groups and surveys of satoyama and satoumi creatures.
The discussion then turned to this year’s activities. It was shared that the WG’s important role is to support Noto GIAHS in preparing materials for the GIAHS monitoring and evaluation by the national technical committee, the timing was extended due to the earthquake. In addition to discussing how to proceed with future activities, a report was made on the Sado study visit conducted in June, which some WG members participated in. The tour was summarized from each participating member’s viewpoint. Determining how to apply the results of the efforts on Sado Island to Ishikawa in the future was confirmed to be important. Additionally, it was shared that a workshop on Noto GIAHS biodiversity is scheduled for October. We will finalize the content of this workshop and prepare it to serve as a platform for sharing and disseminating activities and achievements related to Noto GIAHS and biodiversity.
In addition, the WG plans to organize online study sessions as appropriate to create opportunities to share the activities of WG members within the WG and with the public. Although the WG’s activities have not progressed as planned due to the earthquake and torrential rain, the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and impact of the Noto GIAHS action plan, as well as the release of the Japanese crested ibis, are scheduled for next fiscal year. Therefore, we are planning various activities this fiscal year to fulfill the WG’s role.
