Beijing, PR China — The 16th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) was held on 20-22 December 2011 in Beijing, PR China. Representatives from NOWPAP member states, Regional Activity Centers, partners and UNEP participated in the annual meeting which approved the NOWPAP work plan and budget for 2012-2013, including the implementation of NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter. In addition, the meeting adopted the revised Terms of Reference for the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit and the Guidance on improving the quality of NOWPAP technical reports.

 

 

Singapore — The fourth meeting of the Ocean Policy Institute Network in the East Asian Region (OPINEAR) was held in Singapore on November 24-25, 2011. The meeting was hosted by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Singapore) and the Center of International Law (Singapore), and participated in by six institutions from East Asia.

 

 

Laguna, Philippines — Two international organizations have renewed their alliance to help conserve Southeast Asia's dwindling marine biodiversity. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) have signed a letter of commitment (LOC) renewing their cooperation to promote the conservation and sustainable use of coastal marine biodiversity. The LOC was signed by Rodrigo Fuentes, Executive Director of ACB, and Raphael Lotilla III, Executive Director of PEMSEA.

 

 

Saravan, Southern Lao PDR — Regulations promoting waste management were adopted by the Saravan province in Southern Lao PDR. These regulations, covering 12 villages in the area, enjoin households to maintain cleanliness and ensure proper waste management at the household level.

 

 

 

Xiamen, PR China — Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council of PEMSEA, has been awarded honorary citizenship by the city of Xiamen, PR China to acknowledge his contribution to the development and implementation of integrated coastal management (ICM) and the promotion of exchanges between the city and the international ocean community.

 

 

Quezon City, Philippines — Corporations around the world, as well as their shareholders, are becoming increasingly conscious of the need for socially responsible behavior. While corporate objectives normally revolve around financial returns, many corporations do their share in making a difference for the community, in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.