Did you know that an estimated eight million metric tons of plastic waste generated in 192 coastal countries enters the ocean every year?

While plastic debris in the marine environment is widely documented, prior to the groundbreaking research by Dr. Jenna Jambeck, little was known about the quantity or geographic distribution of plastic entering the ocean. The majority of this waste comes from rapidly developing economies with lagging infrastructure, and the research finds that without intervention this annual input of waste into the ocean could double by 2025.

PEMSEA, Thailand Research Fund, Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and development partners are increasing efforts to get the oceans and coasts into the agenda, and meet the SDGs. The Blue Economy Forum 2017 will share progress on valuing the growing ocean economy, and the crucial marine ecosystem services on which our societies rely on, and highlight blue economy initiatives in the East Asian Seas Region.

Did you know that coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows, play a vital role in the global carbon cycle? In addition to providing important services that support fisheries and protect populated coastlines from erosion and flooding, these “blue carbon” ecosystems sequester massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate the global climate.

To kick off the new year, join this ​​FREE ​45-​minute webinar to ​learn about how the health of our oceans is being measured.

Jointly Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Marine Cooperation between China and Silk Road Countries

The week-long event will strengthen cooperation and friendship through the forums and workshops, facilitate the sustainable development of marine economy, and make a contribution to development of marine economy worldwide.

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) has been applied throughout East Asia, a region with over 1.5 billion coastal residents, for over 20 years, benefitting tens of millions of people. But the concept of ICM may still be new to some. What is ICM and what are its impacts? Join this FREE webinar to learn from Dr. Jessica YE Guanqiong, Assistant Professor at Zhejiang University and leader in coastal management about how ICM is implemented in the real world and its impacts on coasts & oceans!

-    What is Integrated Coastal Management?

Join FREE webinars to hear from leading experts on the valuation of marine and coastal ecosystem services. PEMSEA's webinar series, together with its partners, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), aims to share knowledge about ecosystem services valuation and its application at the local level.

WEBINAR SCHEDULE

Watch this FREE webinar to learn from Dr. Tobias Börger on the valuation of marine and coastal ecosystem services. PEMSEA's webinar series, together with its partner, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), aims to share knowledge about ecosystem services valuation and its application at the local level.

Watch this FREE webinar to hear from Dr. Nicola Beaumont on the valuation of marine and coastal ecosystem services. PEMSEA's webinar series, together with its partner, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), aims to share knowledge about ecosystem services valuation and its application at the local level.

The GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC) is the signature learning event for the GEF IW portfolio. The IWC objectives are to facilitate cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide learning and experience sharing. They strive to solicit advice from the existing GEF IW portfolio on burning issues, and to assist in building participant capacity in key management and technical areas. Participants sum up progress achieved and also look to the future of programming within and beyond the GEF IW focal area.