Several countries in the region recognize the need for interagency coordination. The lack of national policy direction renders interagency coordination limited to ad-hoc arrangements. ICM efforts face resistance from line agencies for fear of losing resources and authority. There is seldom an agency or a ministry with a clear mandate in interagency coordination with respect to coastal and ocean governance.  Progress in ICM program implementation across the region is slow, resulting in the continuing degradation and destruction of coastal and marine resources.

Global: Stakeholders in GEF IW projects benefit from the innovative policies, programs and capacity enhancement techniques applied in the EAS region, in order to scale up ICM from a ‘prototype/demonstration phase’, to a full-fledged, national  strategy and program for managing marine and coastal areas. The formulation and implementation of an ICM Code, for voluntary use as an international standard for certification/recognition of local governments implementing ICM, provides the global community with a means of demonstrating conformance with sustainable development policies, and/or to seek certification of ICM programs as complying with International Standards (e.g., ISO 14001 and/or ISO 9001). Similarly, the PSHEM Code provides the global maritime and port industry with a means of demonstrating conformance with sustainable development policies, and/or to seek certification of their PSHEMS as complying with International Standards (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and OSHAS 18001).

Domestic: National policy and institutional reforms, and capacity enhancement/technical assistance programs, target improved local coastal governance and the replication of local ICM efforts.  National ICM demonstration sites are influential/supportive in promoting and facilitating local governments to develop ICM programs. National ICM Task Forces, trained in ICM application, provide technical assistance and advice to local governments, thereby facilitating and accelerating ICM coverage of country coastlines, and reversing trends in environmental degradation.