The Conference will take place in Wake Up International Youth Centere, Seosan City, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea, near the internationally renowned Cheonsu Bay wetland complex on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. The conference venue is located in close proximity to one of the most important wintering areas for geese and other migratory waterbirds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
The Republic of Korea occupies a strategic position within the EAAF, supporting millions of migratory birds during their annual journeys between Arctic breeding grounds and wintering sites in East and Southeast Asia. Among Korean wetlands, Cheonsu Bay has long been recognised as one of the country's most significant sites for wintering geese and cranes. Large numbers of Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) and Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris) regularly utilise the area, while other species, including Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), and various species of ducks and shorebirds, are also recorded. The region additionally supports internationally important populations of the vulnerable Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) and other migratory waterbirds.
Cheonsu Bay represents a distinctive landscape shaped by both natural processes and human activities. Historically, the area consisted of extensive tidal flats and coastal wetlands along the Yellow Sea. Large-scale land reclamation projects undertaken during the late twentieth century transformed parts of the bay into agricultural land, freshwater reservoirs, and managed wetlands. Today, the mosaic of rice paddies, reservoirs, estuarine habitats, and remaining coastal ecosystems provides valuable feeding and roosting habitats for wintering geese and other waterbirds.
Beyond its ecological importance, Seosan offers participants an opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of Korea's west coast. The region is known for its rich agricultural traditions, seafood cuisine, historic temples, and scenic coastal landscapes. Located within convenient travelling distance from Seoul and Incheon International Airport, Seosan provides an ideal setting for scientific exchange, field excursions, and discussions on the conservation and management of migratory waterbirds in rapidly changing landscapes.
Field excursions associated with the conference will provide participants with opportunities to observe large concentrations of wintering geese and other waterbirds in Cheonsu Bay and surrounding wetlands, while also highlighting ongoing conservation initiatives and the challenges of balancing biodiversity conservation with agricultural and regional development.