Seosan, South Korea | October 31 – November 3, 2025

The 14th Asian Bird Fair (ABF) successfully concluded its four-day program, having been hosted by the beautiful coastal city of Seosan, South Korea. Held from October 31 to November 3, 2025, the event brought together delegates, conservationists, ecotourism professionals, and bird enthusiasts from across Asia and the globe to the world-renowned Seosan Birdland in Cheonsuman Bay.

This year’s ABF centered on the theme “Coexistence of Humans and Nature,” a fitting message for a location famous as a critical wintering stopover site along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway, welcoming over 300,000 migratory birds annually.

Key Highlights of the 14th ABF

The Seosan Birdland venue, a sprawling eco-park featuring a museum, viewing areas, and a wildlife treatment center, provided the ideal setting for the ABF program of conservation and cultural activities.

The fair involved a series of talks focused on shared conservation challenges. Discussions highlighted successful community-based ecotourism models and strategies for wetland protection, reflecting the global collaboration central to the ABF’s mission.

For two days, delegates setup their booths to promote the different activities, advocacies, and ecotourism programs from their respective countries. This was a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and establish new connections with like-minded people from different countries.

On the final day, delegates participated in a dedicated birdwatching tour of the Seosan Cheonsuman Bay area. Birders were treated to sightings of Eurasian Spoonbill, Cinereous Vultures, Oriental Stork, thousands of Bean Goose, and a variety of waterfowl, confirming the bay’s vital role in global migration.

The host city of Seosan integrated Korean culture deeply into the event, including welcome and fellowship dinners that featured traditional Korean cuisine and cultural performances, fostering a warm atmosphere for international networking.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the ABF Network

The 14th ABF concluded with the traditional Turnover Dinner, where the Executive Committee officially acknowledged the success of the Seosan hosts and transitioned the responsibility to the host city of the next Asian Bird Fair. This ritual sets the stage for continuing the network’s mission to promote bird conservation and ecotourism throughout the region.

The event reaffirmed the global community’s commitment to the preservation of migratory bird habitats and highlighted the growing importance of bird fairs as platforms for international conservation policy and ecotourism development.

For more information, please contact the ABF Executive Committee by sending them an email at abirdfair@gmail.com.