Proceedings of the 6th Ministerial Forum (EASC2018)
PUBLICATION DATE:
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
PUBLICATION TYPE:
Meeting Documents
STATUS:
Only Available Online
DESCRIPTION:
The Sixth Ministerial Forum was held at Courtyard by Marriott, Iloilo City, Philippines on 29 November 2018. Carrying the theme, “25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda”, the Sixth Ministerial Forum was hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines. Present in the forum were 11 Ministers and heads of delegations from the East Asian Countries, and about 50 observers from among the PEMSEA Non-Country Partners, together with members of PEMSEA’s East Asian Seas Partnership Council Executive Committee, representatives from PEMSEA’s sponsoring agencies, the GEF and UNDP, and some PEMSEA collaborators.
The highlights of the Sixth Ministerial Forum, included:
The presentation of the key results of the Regional and National State of Oceans and Coasts (SOC) reports on Blue Economy;
Delivery of individual country statements highlighting countries’ outlook, plans and initiatives related to the implementation of the SDS-SEA in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and
The signing of the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration on East Asian Region Moving as One for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies.
The Regional and National SOC Reports are key outputs of the PEMSEA member countries that looked into the countries’ ocean economy, ocean industries, valuation of coastal and marine ecosystem services, risks and pressures on oceans in the region, and examples of blue economy initiatives. The reports aim to provide the baseline for future assessments. Initial estimates show that the SOC provides a comprehensive approach to evaluate the contribution of oceans and coasts, impacts of human activity on the ocean, as well as monitor progress towards the SDGs, SDS-SEA, and other international agreements through the blue economy and ocean governance initiatives. Based on the reports, the oceans serve as an important source of income and jobs for countries in the EAS region, with significant share in countries’ GDP. While ocean’s ecosystem services are still not much valued in most countries, available information showed ocean as a natural capital represents 50-55% of ocean economy across the region. It is hoped that the SOC can be utilized as an important tool to advance scientific support, raise public awareness, promote good governance and partnerships for blue economy, and foster the development of synergies among the various sectors and stakeholders.
The Forum culminated with the signing of the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration on East Asian Region Moving as One for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies. The Declaration reaffirmed the countries’ ommitment to the SDS-SEA, and in particular to achieving the remaining targets from the Da Nang Compact, regular updating of SOC reports, reducing or preventing marine pollution of all kinds, promotion of sustainable coastal tourism programs, support development of blue economy investment projects, and support operations of PRF as coordinating mechanism for SDS-SEA implementation through voluntary contributions beyond 2019.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Proceedings of the 2nd Blue Carbon Technical Working Group Meeting
The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF), in partnership with the National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, Ministry of Natural Resources (NMHMS/MNR), convened the 2nd Blue Carbon Technical Working Group Meeting on 5–6 June 2025 in Haikou, Hainan Province of China. The meeting was attended by nearly 60 experts and stakeholders on blue carbon from 11 countries in the EAS region and beyond. The PRF Secretariat served as the Secretariat for the meeting. Online participants included members of the PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers and other Blue Carbon experts from the region.
The meeting aimed to:
- Draw consensus on the governance framework of an innovative Blue Carbon Ecosystem Services Management Mechanism (Draft 0) and the requirements to operationalize a regional blue carbon certification program.
- Improve understanding and consensus building among BC-TWG members on the draft regional blue carbon accounting protocol.
Expected outcomes of the meeting include:
- Refined concept of a Blue Carbon Ecosystem Services Management Mechanism, including a blue carbon stock monitoring network.
- Refined regional blue carbon accounting protocol.
- Refined workplan for 2025 and 2026 for review, guidance and/or approval at the 17th EAS PC in July 2025.
Proceedings of the Training on Integrating Blue Carbon into the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Framework
The PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC), Burapha University and the PEMSEA Resource Facility co-organized the "Training on Integrating Blue Carbon into the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Framework" in March 2025 in Chonburi, Thailand.
The training, co-sponsored by Burapha University and the University of Hawai'i, with support from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand, Thailand Science, Research and Innovation (TSRI), Henry Luce Foundation, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies-University of Hawai’i, brought together PNLC participants and Chonburi Province coastal management stakeholders to enhance the understanding of Blue Carbon concepts and explore how the Network can support.
PEMSEA's regional Blue Carbon program. The training had the following objectives:
- Gain foundational understanding of ICM and its role in coastal resource management.
- Learn about the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems and communities.
- Understand the concept of Blue Carbon and its significance in climate change mitigation.
- Acquire the knowledge to integrate blue carbon principles into coastal management strategies, ensuring more sustainable and resilient coastal zones and harness the potential of blue carbon ecosystems as nature-based solutions for climate action.
- Identify work areas, in terms of knowledge, capacity and technical assistance, PNLC members need to strengthen to enable them to better support government and local community efforts in managing their coastal areas and associated blue carbon ecosystems.
2024 Audited Financial Statement
Proceedings of the Thirty Third East Asian Seas Executive Committee Meeting
The East Asian Seas (EAS) Executive Committee convened its 33rd Meeting on 28 April 2025 in Busan, Republic of Korea. The meeting gathered key leaders of the EAS Partnership Council, including Chair Dr. Vann Monyneath, Co-Chair Atty. Jonas Leones, Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair Mr. Le Dai Thang, Technical Session Chair Dr. Keita Furukawa, and Technical Session Co-Chair Dr. Suk-Jae Kwon. The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Secretariat, led by Executive Director Ms. Aimee T. Gonzales, provided secretariat support, alongside other PRF staff. Observers included representatives from the Arafura Timor Seas program, Korea Maritime Institute, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, and the China PEMSEA Center, with additional PRF personnel joining online.
The meeting agenda featured key updates and strategic discussions on the outcomes and next steps following the East Asian Seas Congress 2024, the alignment of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) with 2030 targets, and PRF’s accomplishments in 2024 and work plan for 2025. Other agenda items included preparations for the 17th EAS Partnership Council Meeting, the engagement of Non-Country Partners, progress on the Blue Carbon Program, presentation of the 2024 audited financial report, and governance matters such as the election of new officers and the selection process for the next PRF Executive Director.
PEMSEA Annual Report 2024: A Year of Collaboration: Driving Blue Synergies Towards Resilient Coasts and Ocean in the East Asian Seas Region
2024 was a landmark year for PEMSEA with the successful organization of the EAS Congress 2024 and the 8th Ministerial Forum as key highlights. These milestone events led to stronger and renewed commitments to drive synergistic actions towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient coasts, ocean and communities, aligned with national priorities and global and regional targets.
Check out progress and plans of PEMSEA's projects that address complex interconnected environmental challenges in the region: marine plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change through rigorous baseline data collation, analysis and reporting; enhancing governance and investment plans and programs; knowledge management and technical skills and capacity development.