Manila, Philippines — Business and biodiversity experts from Southeast Asia and Japan gathered at the "Business Opportunities in Biodiversity International Conference and Exhibition" in Manila, Philippines, on 8 October to raise the business sector's awareness on the values of biodiversity and encourage corporations to support conservation initiatives.Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in cooperation with the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the conference featured discussions a

Jeju, RO Korea — On 1-2 October 2010, NOWPAP International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) campaign and workshop on marine litter were held in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The events were organized by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) and the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) of NOWPAP, or the Northwest Action Plan.

Quezon City, Philippines — "Tired but very fulfilled", was how a member of the delegation from the Vietnam Administration for Seas and Islands (VASI) described how he felt after the study tour to integrated coastal management (ICM) sites in the Philippines last 19-24 September, 2010. With the main objective of learning about practical experiences of local coastal communities in managing the marine and coastal environment, representatives from VASI rolled up their sleeves and (almost) got their feet wet in the Bataan and Cavite ICM sites in the Philippines.

Lao PDR — With about 90 percent of the country within the Mekong River Basin, water is the main resource in Lao PDR — a major socioeconomic and cultural determinant in a country of over 6 million people. Lao PDR has the highest surface water per capita in Asia which is about 55,000 cubic meters but the increasing development activities in the country threatens the sustainable use of water resources.

 

Liaoning Province, PR China — On 15-16 September 2010, the State Oceanic Administration of PR China and PEMSEA conducted the Bohai Sea Project's mid-term project assessment and planning workshop. The Bohai Sea project focuses on pollution reduction and investment through integrated riverbasin and coastal area management. The workshop was held in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, PR China.

 

Pakse, Lao PDR — In an effort to strengthen the capacity of local communities, mass organizations and people's organizations to develop community-based projects in Sedone, a two-day writeshop was convened and participated in by over 42 participants from the three riparian provinces in Sedone from 30 September to 1 October 2010.

 

Xiamen, PR China — The Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) in collaboration with the Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI) of the Xiamen University conducted a Regional Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Train-the-Trainers Course on 10-14 October 2010 in Xiamen, China. The training course was participated by 27 individuals from academic and research institutions, national government agencies and local governments from seven countries, namely, Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

 

Laguna, Philippines — While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is home to 20 per cent of all known plant and animal species, it is losing biodiversity at alarming rates. Unfortunately, this threat has not attracted enough attention from leaders, the public and the media to generate a concerted effort to halt the rate of biodiversity loss. This lack of awareness is attributed to the dearth of information campaigns and materials on the values of biodiversity.

Laguna, Philippines — Taxonomy, which forms an important basis for biology and the protection of biodiversity, is in peril. The last few decades saw the discipline of taxonomy falling off the global political, funding, and academic agendas.

Moscow, Russia — The 15th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) was held on 16-18 November 2010 in Moscow, Russia. Representatives of all NOWPAP member states participated in the meeting which was attended also by the directors of the four NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres (RACs). The meeting participants reviewed the progress of NOWPAP implementation for the period of 2009-2010 and discussed the ways for future development of NOWPAP.

 

Along with the report of UNEP Executive Director and reports of the four RAC directors, the meeting approved the following documents: