The 15th International Scientic Wadden Sea Symposium will be held as an in person event in Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein (D) on 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021

The Wadden Sea is well known for the large flocks of birds that visit the area during the annual migration to and from the Arctic. In recent years, there has been increased concern about these Arctic travellers due to the impact of changing climatic conditions in the Arctic.

The Wadden Sea was recognised with a dedicated session during the conference ECSA 58 - EMECS 13: Estuaries and coastal seas in the Anthropocene – Structure, functions, services and management which took place as an online event from September 6 to 9, 2021.

Global cooperation for migratory bird conservation was the theme of this year's Wadden Sea Day, held at the Atlantic Hotel in Wilhelmshaven on Thursday 26th August, with a focus on the "Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative" (WSFI).

18-19 & 25-26 September, 2021 are the dates for the East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum - an online event for young people to engage in conservation of wetlands and migratory waterbirds

Bernard Baerends, executive secretary of the CWSS, was invited to give a brief talk on the importance of international cooperation when it comes to nature conservation, at an online side event at the 44^th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting, in Fuzhou China. This 44^th session takes place from 16 – 31 July 2021.

The 44th World Heritage Committee, meeting in Fuzhou, China, have inscribed the Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats on the World Heritage List, in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value for migratory waterbirds as one of the world’s most significant wetland ecosystems.

The third webinar working towards a trilateral Community of Understanding for sediment solutions was held in June.

The 2020-2021 counts show a steady increase in the number of grey seals in the Wadden Sea.

The excellent work, in support of education, carried out by the members of the International Wadden Sea School in the past 17 years was highlighted as part of this side event which was co-organised between Germany and South Korea.