International Steering Committee
The International Steering Committee (ISC) is the governing body of the Asian Wetland Symposium (AWS). The ISC provides the strategic guidance, technical expertise, and oversight necessary to ensure the symposium’s long-term objectives are met. The ISC meets regularly to coordinate the symposium agenda and address organizational matters. While maintaining its own governing functions, the ISC works in close partnership and collaboration with the National Organizing Committee (NOC) of the host country to ensure the successful delivery of each event.
The committee is currently composed of 40 members including Advisory Members, a roster that is periodically reviewed and updated between symposia to ensure diverse regional representation.
Advisory Members
We are honored to be supported by our Advisory Members —distinguished senior experts who have provided invaluable leadership and continuity, having served the committee for over 20 years.
Advisory Committee Member
| Name | Affiliation |
| Ajit Pattnaik | Wetlands International South Asia |
| Bishnu Bhandari | Nepal Wetland Society |
| Chen Kelin | International Wetlands and River Beijing |
| Gea-Jae Joo | Pusan National University |
| Lee Woo Shin | Seoul National University |
| Reiko Nakamura | Ramsar Center Japan |
| Sansanee Choowaew | Mahidol University |
| Yoshihiro Natori | Wetlands International – Japan |
| Toru Iwama | Ramsar Center Japan |
| Hiroji Isozaki | Ramsar Center Japan |
ISC Member
| Name | Affiliation |
| Amado Tolentino | Asia-Pacific Center for Environmental Law |
| Amy Lecciones | Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands |
| Asaduzzaman Miah | Bangladesh POUSH |
| Atsushi Tanabe | Ramsar Center Japan |
| Bernadette Joeman | Rainforest Discovery Center, Sepilok |
| Bernard O’Callaghan | Nature Advisory |
| Bena Smith | WWT |
| Emiko Nagakura | Wetlands International – Japan |
| Gombobaatar Sundev | National University of Mongolia |
| Indika Palihakkara | University of Ruhuna |
| Ji Yoon Kim | Kunsan National University |
| Kaoru Sakai | Ministry of Environment |
| Kathryn Bimson | IUCN Asia Regional Office |
| Lyu Cai | Beijing Forestry University |
| Nelson Chen | Guandu Nature Park, Wild Bird Society of Taipei |
| Pyae Phyo Aung | Nature Conservation Society |
| Ratcha Chaichana | Mekong Wetlands University Network / Kasetsart University |
| Ritesh Kumar | Wetlands International – India |
| Seongbo Kim | Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia |
| Shiina Suzuki | Japan Wetland Society |
| Shimpei Iwasaki | Ramsar Center Japan |
| Sonam Choden | Ministry of Agriculture and Forests |
| Srey Sunleang | Ministry of Environment |
| Suh Seung Oh | Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia |
| Takuma Satoh | Youth Ramsar Japan |
| Yamme Leung | WWF HongKong |
| Yuki Arai | Japan Wetland Society, Ramsar Center Japan |
| Yuki Osaki | Ramsar Center Japan |
| Yukihiro Shimatani | Prefectural University of Kumamoto |
| Yus Rusila Noor | Wetlands International – Indonesia |