The East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress is a pioneering region-wide platform for capacity building, strategic action and cooperation for the sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia. It has been described as an intellectual marketplace whereby policymakers, senior government officials, scientists and technical experts, academics, private sector, local communities, nongovernmental entities, the youth and other stakeholders from local, national, regional and international levels come together to share knowledge/experiences and engage in dynamic discussions regarding trends, issues and concerns related to coastal and ocean governance, locally, regionally and globally.

The EAS Congress 2009 will be a venue for reviewing and sharing on-the-ground experiences in integrated management of coastal and marine resources. Carrying the theme, "Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices," the EAS Congress 2009 will highlight initiatives and good practices covering key aspects of coastal and marine resource management and how interregional, interagency and multisectoral partnerships are contributing toward the attainment of regional and international environmental targets. The EAS Congress 2009 will review progress with respect to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), assess the achievements and challenges that remain, and mapping out future actions to ensure the steady advancement towards the sustainability of the seas of East Asia.

The EAS Congress 2009 will be hosted by the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is being organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and DENR and supported by the Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services and Coastal Management Center. Various partner organizations are being invited to co-convene Congress workshops, seminars and events.

Congress Theme: "Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices"

Building from the successes of the EAS Congresses 2003 and 2006, the EAS Congress 2009 highlights the implementation and meeting of international and regional targets and initiatives at the national and local level by focusing on the initiatives and actions undertaken on the ground. The Congress will feature knowledge-sharing/dynamic discussions on key issues that are pertinent to the region, as well as best practices in various aspects of coastal and ocean management.