The International Conference will gather various stakeholders-- policymakers, resource and economic managers, business professionals, scientists, members of the academe, local and international NGOs, youth and community representatives and other members of civil society from within and outside the East Asian Seas region-- to engage in knowledge sharing and partnership building.

Goals and Objectives:

• Serve as venue for sharing of experiences, developments and lessons learned in the application of integrated and ecosystem-based approaches to the management of coastal and ocean-related ecosystems and natural resources;
  Assess the progress made since the EAS Congress 2006, including the implementation of international environmental instruments, and identify remaining challenges and new approaches/best practices that would help address concerns at the local, national and regional level;
• Highlight both the achievements and best practices at the local level related to coastal and ocean management, as well as some of the failures at the local level and present lessons learned from such experiences;
• Promote collaboration and partnerships at the local, national, subregional and regional level to help overcome governance, finance, scientific, communication and capacity barriers in effective coastal and oceans management;
• Based on the consensus or key points identified in various workshops/ seminars, provide recommendations to the Ministers and PEMSEA Partners to contribute in the advancement and further strengthening of the implementation of the SDS-SEA.

The International Conference will also include the Meeting of PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG), a Business Forum, the Second EAS Youth Forum, and other side events or meetings.

Provisional Programme

Conference Themes:

• Foreshore Development and Management and Land/Coastal ReclamationTaking into consideration the rapid growth of activities and developments in the foreshore and shore land areas, this theme will focus on and analyze various issues and actions being undertaken related to foreshore management. It is suggested that this theme could cover such topics as:
• Foreshore policies and regulatory processes
• Foreshore development and management
• Land- and sea-use zoning
• Coastal reclamation
• Good practices in dredging, including processing, use and disposal of dredged materials
• Impacts of foreshore developments and activities on coastal communities and ecosystems
• Enhancing coastal protection through man-made devices and natural methods
• Coastal informal settlers
• Triple Bottomline for Environmental Services and InfrastructureThe Triple Bottomline (TBL) philosophy or approach highlights the inextricable link and the need to promote the well-being of economy, society and nature/environment in management so as to ensure sound and sustainable development. In particular, this theme will look into some good practices that can be derived in the application of the TBL concept in different environmental services and infrastructure.  Some suggested topics include:
• Waste management and pollution reduction
• Water use, conservation and management
• Enhancing the utilization of market-based instruments, such as carbon credits
• Application of innovative and low technology options, such as constructed wetlands
• User pay schemes as a means of sustaining habitat restoration, protection and management
• Local Governance and Good PracticesRecognizing the critical role and impact of local communities and local governments in environmental management, this theme will delve on a wide variety of issues on, actions undertaken, and elements of coastal and ocean governance at the local level. Taking into consideration the factors contributing to “good governance” such as accountability, participation, predictability, transparency, efficiency, and vision, this theme will touch on the following:
• Bridging research, capacity development and local governance
  (Opportunities/demands for capacity development; Training programs on coastal and ocean management/development (national and local level), including international agencies and donors; ICM Code; applying different types of information technology at local level capacity building initiatives/ local communities or governments coping up with new technologies)
• Enabling mechanisms in good coastal and ocean governance
  (Policy reform initiatives; Going local or decentralization and its effects in improving services in local communities;  Localizing laws, rules and procedures on marine law; Mechanisms for participation/involvement in policy development and review; Innovative strategies to promoting public sector efficiency and effectiveness; Prompting local actions from individuals to institutions; Incorporating community perspectives and interests)
• ICM Scaling-Up and Local Governance
  (Good practices related to: Policy scaling up; Geographical expansion and replication: ICM parallel sites development; Functional scaling up: linking coastal management and watershed and river basin management; Partnership scaling up: network building (i.e., local governments implementing ICM programs; network of technical experts on coastal and marine management; PPP in environmental investments); Innovative ways of rapidly and cost-effectively scaling-up)
• Disaster Management
• CSR and Impacts at the Local LevelIn recent years, many corporations have began to realign their business strategies, objectives and image from purely profit-driven to socially and environmentally-conscious entities. As the private sector starts to open up and engage in collaborative activities in their areas of operation or communities and local governments, it is significant to look into these developments and assess their impacts. This theme will delve into the different aspects, dynamics and initiatives related to CSR, such as:
• Linking local environmental initiatives with big corporations
• Community-based development projects
• Compliance to CSR standards (auditing and reporting requirements)
• CSR strategies
• Case presentations on CSR application and impacts at the local level
• Innovative Technologies and Good PracticesThis theme aims to tackle new or emerging ocean technologies and good practices that can contribute in the protection, management and sustainable development of ocean resources and environment. Some of the topics to be discussed will include:
• Ocean energy/power (thermal energy, mechanical/tidal/wave energy, wind energy)
• Small-scale sustainable aquaculture
• Good practices in shipping, ports and harbors
• Seawater utilization

Proposed Plenary Topics: (half day event)

• State of the Coasts (SOC) Reporting
• Large Marine Ecosystems (including Arafura-Timor Seas)