OTSU, Japan, Aug. 20, 2025 /Kyodo JBN/ --
- Shiga Internationally Presents Efforts to Conserve Lake Biwa -
Municipal officials and high school students from Shiga Prefecture participated in the "20th World Lake Conference" held in Brisbane, Australia, from July 21 to 25, and disseminated to the world their efforts to conserve Lake Biwa and promote environmental education.
The conference held a special session hosted by the Shiga Prefectural Government to commemorate the inaugural World Lake Day (August 27), which was designated in a resolution adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in December 2024 and will be observed for the first time. The session played a leading role in creating a platform for discussion. The high school students gave presentations in English, actively contributing to international discussions.
Main Content Presentations by High School Students at Youth Session (July 21) Ten elementary and junior high school students from Biwako Houjyounosato, a nonprofit organization in Moriyama City, gave a presentation on firefly conservation and river cleanup activities. In addition, Hana Asano from Hikone Higashi High School showcased in English an initiative on "Moat Health Mission: Tackling Algal Blooms" and exchanged opinions with local young people who participated in the session. Minakuchi Higashi High School students also made an online presentation titled "Clean Lake Biwa, learn, and act for Japan future water."
Hana Asano explains activities to moderator after presentation: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI1fl_KAuoVup6.jpeg
Comment from Hana Asano of Hikone Higashi High School, High School Student Dispatched by Shiga Prefecture "By participating in the World Lake Conference, I was able to experience various things, including gaining new perspectives and meeting many experts with a wide range of knowledge. Attending this World Lake Conference allowed me to experience presentations by experts that were completely different from my usual studies. There were also many presentations on Lake Biwa conservation activities that I did not know of, and felt that by making more high school students aware of these activities, we can nurture interest in lakes among the younger generation. Thank you very much for giving me such a valuable experience."
Presentations by High School Students at Poster Session and Collaboration among Local Governments (July 21) Eita Nakagawa from Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School gave a presentation titled "Yoshi -- An essential plant for people and Lake Biwa," while Sotaro Maki from Zeze High School briefed the audience on a theme titled "Introduction of practical environmental study in junior high school in Shiga prefecture, Japan." Both students spoke in English using posters they had created themselves, explaining their findings in detail to many overseas participants.
There was also a joint presentation by the governments of Shiga Prefecture and five other prefectures (Akita, Ibaraki, Nagano, Tottori and Shimane). Each prefecture introduced its lake conservation activities. Shiga Prefecture gave a presentation on its initiatives related to Mother Lake Goals (MLGs) under the title "From the First World Lake Conference to World Lake Day: Shiga Prefecture's Ongoing Efforts to Restore Lake Biwa with Its Residents."
Poster presentation by Eita Nakagawa from Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI2fl_IP3mhI9k.jpg
Presentation by Sotaro Maki from Zeze High School: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI3fl_kwJGoY21.jpg
Comment from Eita Nakagawa from Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School "My self-awareness has changed significantly as a result of participating in the World Lake Conference. Listening to lake experts and researchers from around the world, I learned about the value of lakes and the concrete actions we must take to protect them. In addition, when I interacted with youth from various countries, I came to think that I want to take immediate action, seeing participants almost of the same age as me who are pursuing full-scale projects and research."
Comment from Sotaro Maki from Zeze High School "Regarding my poster session, there were many things I gained from actually participating on site. I enjoyed the Q&A session and discussions. Listening to presentations by experts from various fields during the breakout sessions and keynote lectures were a great experience. I made an effort to talk to many people during meals and breaks, and I am happy to have made many friends. I learned a lot during my five days there as I made surprising discoveries one after another every day. I would definitely like to participate again next time, making use of my learnings and reflections."
Opening Ceremony and Dissemination at World Lake Day Special Session Hosted by Shiga Prefecture (July 22) At an opening ceremony, Orie Kishimoto, Vice Governor of Shiga Prefecture, took the stage and appealed for the significance of World Lake Day, which was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in December 2024 and will be observed for the first time on August 27, 2025, as well as the importance of Lake Biwa. Shiga Prefectural Assembly Chairperson Shingo Mekata also took the podium and talked about how the first World Lake Conference was held in Shiga Prefecture and its significance.
In the afternoon, Shiga Prefecture hosted a special session on World Lake Day, introducing lake conservation efforts at the local level jointly with some foreign municipalities, including the USA's State of Michigan, China's Hunan Province, Brazil's State of Rio Grande do Sul, and the Nicaraguan city of Managua. The session aimed to use World Lake Day as an opportunity to raise momentum for conservation, expand supporters, strengthen cooperation with other countries and regions, and build new connections.
Presentation by Shiga Vice Governor Kishimoto at high-level panel discussion: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI4fl_p3sBjGZP.jpg
Special session on World Lake Day: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI5fl_oLcT3XiA.jpg
Dissemination of Expertise at Breakout Sessions (July 23 and 24) At a breakout session on July 23, Tomoki Sogabe, Assistant Section Chief of the Shiga Prefectural Government's Lake Biwa Conservation and Restoration Division, took the stage to give a presentation on regional cooperation efforts and environmental education initiatives through MLGs. On the following day, July 24, another Shiga official, Takashi Okamura, Senior Manager of the Agricultural Administration Division, reported on the environmentally friendly agriculture of the "Lake Biwa System," which has been registered as one of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, and explained measures to reduce the burden originating from agriculture.
Presentation at breakout session: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI6fl_ImR9y09m.jpg
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202508083431/_prw_PI7fl_81krex4E.jpg
Closing Ceremony and Announcement of Next Venue (July 24): At a closing ceremony, the "Brisbane Declaration," which summarizes the outcomes of the conference, was announced, revealing that the declaration is scheduled to be officially adopted not later than World Lake Day on August 27. It was also announced that the 21st World Lake Conference will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2027.
Summary of Draft Brisbane Declaration - Following the unanimous adoption of the Resolution on Sustainable Lake Management by the U.N. Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2023 and the establishment of World Lake Day by the U.N. General Assembly in 2024, the perspective of "lakes" should be incorporated into all actions for sustainable development, measures against climate change and biodiversity conservation. - It should be aimed that lakes will be included in the "post-SDGs" framework as a specific indicator. - Integrated management of lakes and their watersheds, including rivers and groundwater flowing into and out of the lakes, should be promoted. - The private sector (companies) will be called upon to disclose its environmental impact on lakes and engage in sustainable practices. - Lakes are mirrors reflecting the 20th World Lake Conference participants' values and vision for the future. All lakes are important and the time to act is now.
Source: Shiga Prefectural Government
